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. 2024 Mar 6;12(7):1260-1271.
doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v12.i7.1260.

Effectiveness of sensory integration therapy in children, focusing on Korean children: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Seri Oh  1 , Jong-Sik Jang  2 , A-Ra Jeon  3 , Geonwoo Kim  1 , Mihwa Kwon  4 , Bahoe Cho  5 , Narae Lee  6
Affiliations

Effectiveness of sensory integration therapy in children, focusing on Korean children: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Seri Oh et al. World J Clin Cases. .

Abstract

Background: Sensory integration intervention is highly related to the child's effective interaction with the environment and the child's development. Currently, various sensory integration interventions are being applied, but research methodological problems are arising due to unsystematic protocols. This study aims to present the optimal intervention protocol by presenting scientific standards for sensory integration intervention through meta-analysis.

Aim: To prove the effectiveness of sensory integration therapy, examine the latest trend of sensory integration studies in Korea, and provide clinical evidence for sensory integration therapies.

Methods: The database of Korean search engines, including RISS, KISS, and DBpia, was used to search for related literature published from 2001 to October 2020. The keywords, "Children", "Sensory integration", "Integrated sensory", "Sensory-motor", and "Sensory stimulation" were used in this search. Then, a meta-analysis was conducted on 24 selected studiesRISS, KISS, and DBpia, was used to search for related literature published from 2001 to October 2020. The keywords, "Children", "Sensory integration", "Integrated sensory", "Sensory-motor", and "Sensory stimulation" were used in this search. Then, a meta-analysis was conducted on 24 selected studies.

Results: Sensory integration intervention has been proven effective in children with cerebral palsy, autism spectrum disorder, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, developmental disorder, and intellectual disability in relation to the diagnosis of children. Regarding sensory integration therapies, 1:1 individual treatment with a therapist or a therapy session lasting for 40 min was most effective. In terms of dependent variables, sensory integration therapy effectively promoted social skills, adaptive behavior, sensory processing, and gross motor and fine motor skills.

Conclusion: The results of this study may be used as therapeutic evidence for sensory integration intervention in the clinical field of occupational therapy for children, and can help to present standards for sensory integration intervention protocols.

Keywords: Children; Meta-analysis; Occupational therapy; Sensory integration; Sensory processing; Social skills.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict-of-interest statement: All the authors report no relevant conflicts of interest for this article.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Literature selection flow diagram.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Effect size of sensory integrating intervention by social skill. CI: Confidence interval.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Effect size of sensory integrating intervention by adaptive behavior. CI: Confidence interval.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Effect size of sensory integrating intervention by gross motor. CI: Confidence interval.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Effect size of sensory integrating intervention by fine motor. CI: Confidence interval.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Effect size of sensory integrating intervention by sensory processing. CI: Confidence interval.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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    1. Lee SY. Effect of sensory integration program on the cognitive and language development for children with mental retardation, electronic, scholarly journal. M.Sc. Thesis, The Inje University. 2004. Available from: http://www.riss.kr/Link?id=T9862586 .
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