Tactile Processing and Quality of Sleep in Autism Spectrum Disorders

Jamioł-Milc, Dominika; Bloch, Mirosława; Liput, Magdalena; Stachowska, Laura; Skonieczna-Żydecka, Karolina

doi:10.3390/brainsci11030362

Cited by 5 publications

(5 citation statements)

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“…Other investigators indicated that the combination of sleep concerns and sensory reactivity differences in autistic children exceeded that found in neurotypical children ( Nieminen-von Wendt et al, 2005 ; Reynolds et al, 2012 ; Tzischinsky et al, 2018 ; Wang et al, 2019 ; Eyuboglu and Eyuboglu, 2020 ) and that a greater number of sensory integration/processing differences could be seen in autistic children with sleep concerns ( Klintwall et al, 2011 ). Jamioł-Milc et al (2021) , investigating tactile modulation differences in autistic children through parent interview and observation, identified a potential relationship between tactile hypo-responsivity and insomnia but no relation between tactile hyper-responsivity or sensory seeking and insomnia. Interestingly, Ghanbari and Rezaei (2016) found no relationship between sensory processing differences and sleep concerns.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Looking within specific sensory systems, Tzischinsky et al (2018) used the Hebrew version of the SP ( Neuman et al, 2004 ) and found that while tactile and oral sensitivity differences were related to total sleep disturbances [Hebrew CSHQ (45)], tactile hyper-reactivity explained 24% of the variance in total sleep disturbance scores in autistic children. Jamioł-Milc et al (2021) investigated tactile modulation disorders (either hyper- or hypo-reactivity) and poor-quality sleep in autistic children using their own tools. While they did not find significant relationships because of small sample size, they suggested that insomnia in autistic children could be related to tactile hypo-reactivity.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“… Hohn et al (2019) suggested that visual sensory sensitivity is a driver for insomnia in autistic adults. In children, investigators report poor auditory filtering and taste/smell differences ( Hollway et al, 2013 ), tactile hypo-reactivity ( Wang et al, 2019 ; Jamioł-Milc et al, 2021 ), vestibular and oral hyper-reactivity ( Kosaka et al, 2021 ), vestibular hypo-reactivity ( Ornitz et al, 1973 ; Wang et al, 2019 ), and touch and oral hyper-reactivity ( Tzischinsky et al, 2018 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Sleep, Sensory Integration/Processing, and Autism: A Scoping Review

2022

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The prevalence of sleep dysfunction is considerably higher in the autistic population than in the non-autistic. Similarly, the incidence of sensory reactivity differences in autism exceeds that in the neurotypical population. The basis of sleep disorders in autism is multifactorial, but sensory integration/processing concerns may play a role. Research that investigates this interplay for autistic individuals is limited but vital. In this scoping review, we examined literature addressing the following research question: What is the relationship between sleep and sensory integration/processing in autism? We included articles if they were peer-reviewed, English or Spanish, purposefully addressed sensory integration/processing differences, were sleep focused and included autism as the primary diagnosis or population. Articles were excluded if the language was not English or Spanish, research was conducted with animals, they were non-peer-reviewed, the primary population was not autistic, the sensory focus reflected a specific sensorineural loss (e.g., blindness, or deafness), there was not a clear inclusion of sensory integration/processing or sleep. We searched six databases and included all citations from the inception of each database through June 2021. The search strategy identified 397 documents that were reduced to 24 included articles after exclusion criteria were applied. The majority of studies we identified characterized the relation between sleep and sensory integration/processing differences in autism. Investigators found multiple sleep concerns such as bedtime resistance, sleep anxiety, delayed sleep onset, night awaking, and short sleep duration in autistic individuals. Identified sensory concerns focused on reactivity, finding hyper- and hypo-reactivity as well as sensory seeking across sensory domains. Co-existence of sleep concerns and sensory integration/processing differences was frequently reported. Few intervention studies showed a clear sensory focus; those that did emphasized pressure, movement, touch, and individual sensory preferences/needs. Swimming programs and massage showed promising results. No studies were of high quality. At a minimum, there is a co-existence of sensory reactivity differences and sleep concerns in autistic children, and possibly autistic adults. The relationship between poor sleep and sensory integration/processing differences is complex and multi-faceted, requiring additional research. Interventions that purposefully include a central sensory component have not been well studied in autistic children or adults. Overall studies with greater rigor and purposeful use of sensation and sensorimotor supports as a component of intervention are needed. This study was not funded.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Sleep, Sensory Integration/Processing, and Autism: A Scoping Review

2022

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“…These include the use of relaxing music, aromatherapy, minimizing bright lights or the use of specific lighting to restore normal circadian rhythms, the avoidance of particular foods or stimulants, and tactile input such as from massage or weighted blankets (28)(29)(30)(31)(32)(33)(34)(35)(36)(37)(38). It is noteworthy that individuals with autism, elderly nursing home residents, and dementia patients all appear to be disproportionately affected by sleep disorders and seem to respond to sensory stimulation (39)(40)(41)(42)(43). Based on these findings, we hypothesized that tactile PSS might be beneficial in improving sleep.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Potential Usefulness of Peripheral Somatosensory Stimulation in Improving Sleep Quality in Patients with Insomnia

Nussbaum,

Janjua,

Pederson

et al. 2024

JSDR

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Background Insomnia and other sleep disorders represent a major cause of disability and impaired productivity. We evaluated the impact of peripheral somatosensory stimulation (PSS) on sleep quality in 12 patients with varying degrees of insomnia. Methods Twelve adult patients underwent daily PSS therapy for a 4-week period and were evaluated using the Insomnia Severity Index at baseline (prior to initiation of therapy) and then at the conclusion of the treatments. All data were obtained through a self-reported 7-question survey evaluating overall severity of insomnia symptoms and the impact of sleep patterns on satisfaction with sleep, daily functioning, and overall quality of life. Changes from baseline insomnia scores were analyzed using cumulative link mixed models (CLMMs). Results Seven men and five women completed one month of PSS therapy. Mean age was 55.1 (range 29 to 80 years). No adverse events were described by the patients. The average total change from baseline score was -10.3 points (baseline: 16.5 vs. week 4: 6.2). Patients had statistically significant improvements for every individual survey question by week 4. The median composite score was improved from baseline, with an overall median score of 2 (IQR: 1.25 – 2.75, min-max: 1-4) at baseline compared to 0.5 (IQR: 0 – 0.25, min-max: 0-2) by week 4 (MD = -1 95% CI: , p < 0.001), signaling typically moderate insomnia at baseline vs. typically minimal to no symptoms by week 4. The predicted probability of obtaining the best outcome (score=0) was 9% at baseline vs. 53% by week 4. The overall cumulative odds ratio was 11.9 (p < 0.001), suggesting that on average, the odds of moving from one score to a lower (improved) score at week 4 compared to the baseline are approximately 12 times higher than moving to a neutral or worse score. Conclusions PSS stimulation appeared to have a significantly favorable effect on sleep quality in this group of patients. Symptoms related to ability to fall asleep, remain asleep, and overall quality of sleep were all improved with PSS therapy. We suggest that further investigation into the potential usefulness of PSS therapy in patients with sleep disorders is warranted.

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“…Second, Grossi et al [25] attempted to classify different RRB patterns after video-recording a group of autistic individuals within a naturalistic context. Third, Jamioł-Milc et al [26] investigated the relationship between tactile stimuli and quality of sleep in ASD. Fourth, Kadlaskar et al [27] compared different aspects of tactile cues between autistic and typically developing children, further underlying the importance of research on sensory processing in this population.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%