Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Allied Health Professions, Virginia Commonwealth University, Box 980008, Richmond, VA, 23298, USA,
J Neurodev Disord. 2010 Sep;2(3):120-32. doi: 10.1007/s11689-010-9053-4. Epub 2010 Jun 12.
The field of behavioral neuroscience has been successful in using an animal model of enriched environments for over five decades to measure the rehabilitative and preventative effects of sensory, cognitive and motor stimulation in animal models. Several key principles of enriched environments match those used in sensory integration therapy, a treatment used for children with neurodevelopmental disorders. This paper reviews the paradigm of environmental enrichment, compares animal models of enriched environments to principles of sensory integration treatment, and discusses applications for the rehabilitation of neurodevelopmental disorders. Based on this review, the essential features in the enriched environment paradigm which should be included in sensory integration treatment are multiple sensory experiences, novelty in the environment, and active engagement in challenging cognitive, sensory, and motor tasks. Use of sensory integration treatment may be most applicable for children with anxiety, hypersensitivity, repetitive behaviors or heightened levels of stress. Additionally, individuals with deficits in social behavior, social participation, or impairments in learning and memory may show gains with this type of treatment.
行为神经科学领域成功地使用丰富环境的动物模型五十多年来，来衡量动物模型中感官、认知和运动刺激的康复和预防效果。丰富环境的几个关键原则与用于感觉统合治疗的原则相匹配，感觉统合治疗是一种用于治疗神经发育障碍儿童的方法。本文综述了环境丰富化范式，将丰富环境的动物模型与感觉统合治疗原则进行了比较，并讨论了其在神经发育障碍康复中的应用。基于这一综述，感觉统合治疗中应包括丰富环境范式中的基本特征是多种感觉体验、环境中的新奇性，以及积极参与具有挑战性的认知、感官和运动任务。感觉统合治疗可能最适用于焦虑、过度敏感、重复行为或压力水平升高的儿童。此外，社交行为、社交参与或学习和记忆障碍的个体可能会从这种治疗中获益。
