Association between sensory processing patterns and stress among communitydwelling people with metabolic syndrome

Abstract

Background: Stress is a risk factor for metabolic syndrome (MetS). High and low sensory stimulation can trigger high stress, but no research exists on the relationship between sensory processing patterns and stress among people with MetS. Objective: This study examined the association between sensory processing patterns and stress. Materials and methods: A total of 117 people with MetS in the Nam Phrea subdistrict, Hang-Dong District, Chiang-Mai Province, Thailand, aged 35-85, completed the Thai Sensory Patterns Assessment-Adult Version (TSPA) and the Thai Stress Test (TST-24). Demographic and metabolic variable information was gathered. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the demographic characteristics and stress. Spearman’s correlation and regression analysis examined the associations between the sensory processing patterns in each sensory modality and stress scores. Results: A total stress score was significantly correlated with preferences in visual and auditory senses, as well as with arousal levels in visual and smell-taste senses (r =-0.397, -0.199, -0.358, 0.268, and p<0.05). Regression analysis revealed that stress can be predicted by preferences and arousal levels in visual and smell-taste senses (R2 =0.156, 0.039, 0.174, and 0.050, respectively; p<0.05). Conclusion: The results suggest that sensory processing patterns might associated with stress, which is a predictor of MetS. Health professionals can utilize acquired knowledge to implement sensory-based interventions for individuals with MetS to address their stress issues.