Awaida Issa, Saleh Aalaa A, El Masri Jad, Farhat Solay, El Tourjouman Oulfat
Department of Pediatrics, Lebanese University, Beirut, LBN.
Department of General Medicine, Lebanese University, Beirut, LBN.
Cureus. 2024 Sep 22;16(9):e69953. doi: 10.7759/cureus.69953. eCollection 2024 Sep.
Background Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental condition characterized by sensory difficulties, which pose a significant challenge. Our aim is to evaluate the effectiveness of sensory room therapy in conjunction with traditional therapy, comparing it to traditional therapy alone, among children diagnosed with ASD in Lebanon. Methods A retrospective longitudinal study with cross-sectional survey (mixed study) was conducted over a 10-year period, involving 548 children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The children were divided into two groups: group 1, comprising 306 children who received conventional therapy in addition to sensory room therapy, and group 2, consisting of 242 children who received conventional therapy alone. Data collection included sociodemographic characteristics, autism-related features, and scores from the Parental Concerns Questionnaire Inferring Alterations (PCQIA) scale, which measures sensory and behavioral characteristics. Data were collected at two time points: before the initiation of sensory room therapy and after the completion of the therapy, allowing for an assessment of changes and effectiveness post-treatment. Results In both groups, there was no significant difference in PCQIA scores following conventional therapy alone (group 1: mean score 34.1, group 2: mean score 33.4; p=0.222). However, a significant increase in PCQIA scores was observed after the addition of sensory room therapy in group 1 (combined therapy), with scores rising from a pre-therapy mean of 34.1 to a post-therapy mean of 41.7 (p<0.001). Moreover, there was a positive correlation between PCQIA scores and parental income. Additionally, 78.2% of parents rated sensory room therapy as highly effective, with 62% reporting significant improvement in their children's behavior and 80% noting increased engagement in extracurricular activities. Notably, 98% of parents indicated they would recommend the combined therapy to others. Conclusion Sensory room therapy demonstrates improvement in sensory challenges and motor skills among children diagnosed with ASD.
背景 自闭症谱系障碍（ASD）是一种以感觉障碍为特征的发育性疾病，这带来了重大挑战。我们的目的是评估感觉统合训练室疗法联合传统疗法的有效性，并将其与仅采用传统疗法进行比较，研究对象为黎巴嫩被诊断患有ASD的儿童。方法 进行了一项为期10年的回顾性纵向研究及横断面调查（混合研究），涉及548名被诊断患有自闭症谱系障碍（ASD）的儿童。这些儿童被分为两组：第1组，包括306名除接受感觉统合训练室疗法外还接受传统疗法的儿童；第2组，由242名仅接受传统疗法的儿童组成。数据收集包括社会人口学特征、自闭症相关特征，以及来自《推断改变的家长关注问卷》（PCQIA）量表的得分，该量表用于测量感觉和行为特征。数据在两个时间点收集：感觉统合训练室疗法开始前和治疗完成后，以便评估治疗后的变化和有效性。结果 在两组中，仅接受传统疗法后的PCQIA得分没有显著差异（第1组：平均得分34.1，第2组：平均得分33.4；p = 0.222）。然而，在第1组（联合疗法）中加入感觉统合训练室疗法后，PCQIA得分显著增加，得分从治疗前的平均34.1升至治疗后的平均41.7（p < 0.001）。此外，PCQIA得分与家长收入之间存在正相关。此外，78.2%的家长认为感觉统合训练室疗法非常有效，62%的家长报告孩子的行为有显著改善，80%的家长指出孩子参与课外活动的情况有所增加。值得注意的是，98%的家长表示他们会向其他人推荐联合疗法。结论 感觉统合训练室疗法在被诊断患有ASD的儿童中，显示出在感觉挑战和运动技能方面有所改善。
