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Sensory-Based Intervention for Children with Behavioral Problems: A Systematic Review

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Abstract

Sensory-based intervention is a common approach used to address behavioral problems in children. Types of sensory-based intervention for children and details of the intervention effectiveness have not been systematically examined. This review examined the effectiveness and ideal types of sensory-based interventions for children with behavioral problems. Searching seven databases, a total of 132 studies were identified; 14 met the selection criteria and were reviewed. Seven of the studies were tactile-based interventions, four were proprioceptive-based intervention and three were vestibular-based interventions. Tactile-based interventions such as massage therapy were the most promising intervention in reducing behavioral problems. However, evidence concerning the effectiveness of sensory-based interventions remains unclear. More research is required for determining the appropriate intervention for children with behavioral problems.

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Acknowledgments

This review was part of Farahiyah Wan Yunus’s Ph.D. study. The authors wish to thank for the advice and comments given by the audience at the 2014 NSW & ACT Occupational Therapy Conference held in Sydney.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Science and Health, University of Western Sydney, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW, 2751, Australia

    Farahiyah Wan Yunus, Karen P. Y. Liu, Michelle Bissett & Stefania Penkala

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  1. Farahiyah Wan Yunus
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  2. Karen P. Y. Liu
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  3. Michelle Bissett
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  4. Stefania Penkala
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Correspondence to Karen P. Y. Liu.

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Wan Yunus, F., Liu, K.P.Y., Bissett, M. et al. Sensory-Based Intervention for Children with Behavioral Problems: A Systematic Review. J Autism Dev Disord 45, 3565–3579 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-015-2503-9

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