Meta-Analysis
Copyright ©The Author(s) 2024. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Clin Cases. Mar 6, 2024; 12(7): 1260-1271
Published online Mar 6, 2024. 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, Jong-Sik Jang, A-Ra Jeon, Geonwoo Kim, Mihwa Kwon, Bahoe Cho, Narae Lee
Seri Oh, Geonwoo Kim, Department of Occupational Therapy, Kangwon National University Graduate School, Samcheok 25949, South Korea
Jong-Sik Jang, Department of Occupational Therapy, Kangwon National University, Samcheok 25949, South Korea
A-Ra Jeon, Department of Occupational Therapy, Ju-Ju Children Development Center, Nonsan-si 32985, Chungcheongnam-do, South Korea
Mihwa Kwon, Department of Occupation Therapy, Suwon Women’s University, Gyeonggi-do 16632, South Korea
Bahoe Cho, Hijam Center for Development of Children, Ochang 28117, South Korea
Narae Lee, Department of Occupational Therapy, U1 University, Chung-cheong bukdo 25949, South Korea
Author contributions: Oh S is the first and main author, and wrote the overall paper; Lee N is the corresponding author, wrote the introduction, discussions, and methods, and is responsible for general contact on the paper; Jang JS, Jeon AR, Kim G, Kwon M and Cho B revised and supplemented the manuscript, and wrote and edited the article on methods, results, and references.
Conflict-of-interest statement: All the authors report no relevant conflicts of interest for this article.
PRISMA 2009 Checklist statement: The authors have read the PRISMA 2009 Checklist, and the manuscript was prepared and revised according to the PRISMA 2009 Checklist.
Open-Access: This article is an open-access article that was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: https://creativecommons.org/Licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Corresponding author: Narae Lee, PhD, Adjunct Professor, Department of Occupational Therapy, U1 University, (29131) 310 Daehak-ro, Yeongdong-eup, Yeongdong-gun, Chung-cheong bukdo 25949, South Korea. nereis1004@gmail.com
Received: December 6, 2023
Peer-review started: December 6, 2023
First decision: December 22, 2023
Revised: December 27, 2023
Accepted: January 27, 2024
Article in press: January 27, 2024
Published online: March 6, 2024
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

Core Tip: This study conducted a meta-analysis to prove the effectiveness of sensory integration therapy, to examine the latest trends in domestic sensory integration studies, and to provide clinical evidence for sensory integration therapy. A meta-analysis was conducted on 24 selected studies. Sensory integration therapy has been proven effective in children with cerebral palsy, autism spectrum disorder, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, developmental disorder, and intellectual disabilities in relation to the diagnosis of children. Sensory integration therapy was most effective in 1:1 individual treatment with the therapist, or a treatment session that lasted 40 min. In terms of dependent variables, sensory integration therapy effectively promoted sociality, adaptive behavior, sensory processing, total amount of exercise, and fine motor ability.