Sensory Stimulation Program Research Articles

Investigating the effect of implementing a sensory stimulation program by family members on delirium status of brain injury patients hospitalized in the intensive care unit: A randomized clinical trial.

Delirium is the most common psychological disorder in brain injury patients hospitalized in the intensive care unit (ICU), one of the leading causes of which can be sensory deprivation or sensory overload. This study aimed to determine the effect of implementing a sensory stimulation program by family members on the delirium status of ICU-hospitalized brain injury patients. In this randomized controlled clinical trial, 66 brain injury patients hospitalized in the ICUs were assigned to intervention and control groups using stratified random sampling. For the intervention group, a sensory stimulation program was implemented by family members for 1 h a day during the ICU stay. The control group received routine care. Patients' delirium status was assessed daily using the confusion assessment method for the intensive care unit (CAM-ICU). Data were analyzed by the SPSS software version 22, using Chi-square, independent t-test, and Binary logistic regression model tests, at a significance level of 0.05. Odds of delirium Incidence in the intervention group was 94% lower than in the control group (OR = 0.057, 95% CI 0.017, 0.19, P = 0.001). There is a significant difference between the two groups in terms of length of delirium (P = 0.001), stay in ICU (P = 0.001) and mechanical ventilation (P = 0.001). The mean of all three variables in the intervention group was lower than the control group. Implementing of sensory stimulation program by the family members, as a non-pharmacological method, can reduce the incidence of delirium in brain injury patients admitted to ICU.

Impact of a sensory stimulation program conducted by family members on the consciousness and pain levels of ICU patients: A mixed method study.

BackgroundThe results of several studies show the different effects of a balanced sensory stimulation program (SSP) on patients with brain injury admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU), but these effects have been less studied based on mixed and comprehensive methods.MethodThis mixed-method study involved 66 patients with brain injury admitted to the ICU who were allocated into intervention (n = 33) and control (n = 33) groups using random stratified sampling. Patients in the intervention group received a sensory stimulation program from family members for 1 h daily during ICU hospitalization, while the control group received only routine care. Patients' level of consciousness and pain intensity were measured immediately before and after the intervention using Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) and Behavioral Pain Scale (BPS), respectively. In-depth unstructured interviews were conducted with the patients in the intervention group 3 months after discharge from the ICU. These interviews were analyzed following Graneheim and Lundman (2004) conventional content analysis method.ResultsA significant difference was found between the study groups in terms of the mean difference of GCS (P =0.001) and BPS score (P = 0.001) before and after intervention. Patients in the intervention group had a higher mean GCS and a lower mean BPS than did patients in the control group. The main themes extracted from the qualitative analysis confirmed the results obtained from the quantitative phase of the study.ConclusionThe combination of the quantitative and qualitative findings suggested that amidst the many hardships and sufferings brain injury patients go through in the ICU, a sensory stimulation program offered by family members may have many benefits such as increased level of consciousness and reduced pain for these patients. Therefore, it is necessary to formulate a framework for this program and provide the needed facilities in order to benefit more from the capacity of such programs for ICU patients.

Comparing the effects of olfactory-based sensory stimulation and board game training on cognition, emotion, and blood biomarkers among individuals with dementia: A pilot randomized controlled trial.

Olfactory dysfunction can indicate early cognitive decline and is associated with dementia symptoms. We developed an olfactory-based sensory stimulation program and investigated its effects on cognition and emotion, and board game training were used as a comparison. In this parallel design pilot study, 30 participants with mild to moderate dementia were equal randomly assigned to the control (CONT), olfactory stimulation with cognitive training (OS), and board game (BG) groups. Two participants were withdrawn from CONT and OS groups, respectively. The intervention was a 12-week program with one 30-min session twice a week. We employed a blood-based biomarker technique and several cognitive and psychological tests to measure basal and after-intervention values. No significant differences were observed between the groups after intervention, as measured using the Mini-Mental State Examination, Loewenstein Occupational Therapy Cognitive Assessment (LOTCA), Top International Biotech Smell Identification Test, and Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). The results showed that the OS group had a lower plasma Tau level than the other groups following intervention, whereas the CONT group had a significantly increased plasma amyloid ß1-42 level. OS participants had a lower concentration ratio of plasma Tau and amyloid Aß1-42 and showed more stable or improved cognition, olfactory function, and mood state. Both the OS and BG groups had a higher percentage of participants with stable or improved cognition and emotion. Taken together, these results suggest that olfactory-based sensory stimulation can be a beneficial intervention for patients with dementia.Clinical trial registration[Clinicaltrials.gov], identifier [NCT05168098].

Sensory stimulation program improves developments of preterm infants in Southwest China: A randomized controlled trial.

Preterm infants are prone to growth and developmental delay, especially social-emotional development. Sensory stimulation may benefit developmental outcomes for these vulnerable infants. This study aims to determine whether 5-integrated sensory stimulation (5-ISS) improves preterm infant social-emotional development. A randomized, parallel trial was conducted from November 2018 to January 2020 at three tertiary hospitals in Kunming, China. Preterm infants were eligible if gestational ages were from 28 to 36 weeks based on ultrasound results when discharged from neonatal wards. Two hundred preterm infants (male n = 110, female n = 90) were randomly allocated to the 5-ISS intervention group (n = 98) and the standard care group (n = 102). Social-emotional development was assessed with the Ages and Stages Questionnaires: Social-Emotional (ASQ:SE). Temperament was assessed with the Infant Behavior Questionnaire-Revised. Anthropometry, which included weight, length, and head circumference, was measured at corrected ages of 1, 3, and 6 months. Demographic and clinical characteristics were similar between the intervention and the standard care groups. At 1- and 3-month corrected age, no significant differences between the two groups were observed in terms of infant development and temperament. At 6 months, significant disparities were found in the social-emotional development scale (mean difference −0.29, 95% CI: −0.58, < -0.001, p = 0.01), infant length (mean difference 0.70, 95% CI: < 0.001, 1.4, p = 0.03), distress to limitation (p = 0.04), and sadness (p = 0.03). A mixed model revealed that the 5-ISS intervention positively affected social-emotional development, length, distress to limitation, and sadness for preterm infants. Integrated sensory stimulation has benefits on social-emotional development, temperament, and length for preterm infants. This program provides a feasible method to promote social-emotional development for preterm infants.

Upper extremity sensory training after stroke

Introduction. Stroke is one of the leading causes for disability worldwide. After stroke, the majority of stroke survivors experience significant arm-hand impairments and a decreased use of the paretic arm and hand in daily life. Tactile sensibility of the hand is essential for identifying objects and for motor performance. Despite important sensory contributions to normal and abnormal movement, research has predominantly focused on motor aspects of stroke recovery. In this paper, we present the effect of sensory stimulation program on arm sensation and motor recovery in subacute stroke. Case outline. In a 65 years old woman the sensibility stimulation program was administered in subacute phase of post-stroke rehabilitation, six weeks after stroke, involving active and passive somatosensory intervention, motor control, coordination, strength and balance exercises. The rehabilitation protocol was applied for four weeks, five times a week. On discharge, the results of physiotherapy assessment showed full recovery of her right arm and hand. Conclusion. This case report shows that precise assessment, problems identification and problem oriented somatosensory interventions can improve, in a short time, functional motor performance of the arm involved in rehabilitation after stroke.

Effect of Oral Sensory Stimulation Program with Expressed Breast Milk on Breastfeeding Outcomes of Preterm Newborns

Effect of Oral Sensory Stimulation Program with Expressed Breast Milk on Breastfeeding Outcomes of Preterm Newborns

Sensory stimulation to improve arousal in comatose patients after traumatic brain injury: a systematic review of the literature.

No standard rehabilitative treatment for coma arousal after traumatic brain injury (TBI) exists. Based on our clinical experience, we hypothesized that sensory stimulation (SS) is a promising protocol to improve outcomes in these patients. We performed a literature review on the progress of sensory stimulation to enhance coma arousal after traumatic brain injury. We searched the databases on Medline, Embase, and Cochrane to gain access to relevant publications using the key words "traumatic brain injury," "disorders of consciousness," "sensory stimulation," and "coma scale." We included all original studies published in English with patients presenting severe disorders of consciousness due to traumatic brain injury who had received SS and whose behavioral/neural responses had been measured. We compared data on ten selected studies and analyzed the SS effects in comatose patient outcomes after TBI. Our review outlines the role of SS in patients with TBI and provides guidance for its implementation in the clinical practice. The literature suggests the SS program improves coma arousal after TBI. However, high-quality clinical trials are needed to establish standard SS protocols.

Efectos de la estimulación sensorial en la conducta adaptativa del alumnado con TEA: un estudio de caso

INTRODUCCIÓN: Las personas con trastorno del espectro autista (TEA) presentan habitualmente dificultades para procesar e integrar la estimulación sensorial de su entorno. Estas dificultades pueden verse reducidas con la intervención adecuada, especialmente en edades tempranas. El objetivo de este trabajo es evaluar los efectos que produce un programa de estimulación sensorial sobre la conducta y la inclusión educativa de un niño con TEA de educación primaria. MÉTODO: Se presenta un estudio de caso con un participante de 7 años con diagnóstico de TEA. La intervención ha constado de 52 sesiones de estimulación sensorial diseñada de acuerdo al perfil sensorial del participante. La efectividad de la intervención se ha evaluado mediante registros de observación, el Perfil sensorial Koynos, el Short Sensory Profile y el Sistema de Evaluación de Niños y Adolescentes. RESULTADOS: Los resultados de la intervención han mostrado una disminución de la frecuencia de conductas desadaptativas, lo que redunda en mejoras en los procesos de inclusión. CONCLUSIONES: El alumnado del aula ordinaria ha mostrado interés en el alumno con autismo y sus conductas desadaptativas han disminuido considerablemente. Esto sugiere que la intervención aplicada ha propiciado efectos positivos y que la estimulación sensorial es una buena solución ante los déficits de integración sensorial.

Effect of a Structured Sensory Stimulation Program on the Sensory Function of Patients with Stroke-induced Disorder of Consciousness

Background: About 50% of stroke patients suffer from the disorder of consciousness with such adverse effects as sensory deprivation. The provision of a care program consisting of simple and safe stimulations can prevent sensory deprivation and improve the patient’s sensory function. Aim: This study aimed to determine the effect of structured sensory stimulation program on the sensory function of the patients with stroke-induced disorder of consciousness. Method: This randomized clinical trial was conducted on 80 patients with stroke-induced disorder of consciousness admitted to the Intensive Care Unit and Emergency Department of Ghaem Hospital, Mashhad, Iran, in 2016. The participants were randomly assigned into two groups of control and intervention. The patients in the intervention group were subjected to a sensory stimulation program consisting of auditory, visual, olfactory, gustatory, tactile, and motor stimulations for 14 consecutive days. The sensory function was measured every day before and after the intervention using the Sensory Modality Assessment and Rehabilitation Technique (SMART) instrument. On the other hand, the control group received the routine care. The data were analyzed in the SPSS version 11.5 using the Mann-Whitney test, Chi-square test, and independent t-test. Results: According to the results, the patients in the intervention and control groups had the mean ages of 66.2±8.9 and 63.8±10.8, respectively. The pre-intervention SMART scores of the two groups were homogenous (P=0.23). However, the independent t-test showed that the final SMART score was significantly higher (P<0.001) in the intervention group (25.1±6.6) than that in the control group (15.5±3.9). Implications for Practice: As the findings of the study indicated, sensory stimulation with simple and accessible stimuli in the course of therapeutic programs could improve the sensory function of the stroke patients with the disorder of consciousness and prevent sensory deprivation

The effects of family-centered affective stimulation on brain-injured comatose patients’ level of consciousness: A randomized controlled trial

BackgroundDespite the well-defined effects of sensory stimulation, the knowledge of the pure effects of affective stimulation is scarce. ObjectiveTo evaluate the effects of family-centered affective stimulation on the level of consciousness among comatose patients with brain injuries. DesignThis study was designed as a three-group double-blinded Randomized Controlled Trial. MethodsNinety consecutive patients with traumatic brain injuries and a Glasgow Coma Scale score of 5–8 were selected. Patients were randomly allocated to an experimental, a placebo, and a control group using permuted block randomization. Affective stimulation intervention was provided to patients in the experimental group by their family members twice a day during the first seven days of their hospitalization. In the placebo group, a sensory stimulation program was implemented by a fixed trained person who was not familiar with the patients. Patients in the control group solely received sensory stimulation which was routinely provided to all patients. The level of consciousness among the patients using the Glasgow Coma Scale and Coma Recovery Scale-Revised were measured both before and after a family visit. The SPSS software (version 17.0) was used to analyze the data through running the one-way and the repeated measure analyses of variance. ResultsDespite an insignificant difference among the groups regarding baseline level of consciousness, the results of the one-way analysis of variance revealed at the seventh day of this study, however, the level of consciousness in the experimental group was significantly higher (9.1±2.1) than the placebo (7.2±1.1), the control groups (6.6±1.7) (P<0.001), subsequently. Moreover, at the seventh day of the study, the Coma Recovery Scale score in the experimental group (11.9±3.7) was significantly greater than the placebo (9.0±2.0) and the control (6.6±1.6) groups (P<0.001). Recovery rate and effect size values also confirmed the greater effectiveness of affective stimulation compared with pure sensory stimulation. ConclusionOur findings in this study indicate that early family-centered affective stimulation is more effective than sensory stimulation in improving the level of consciousness among comatose patients with brain injuries. Family-centered affective stimulation is recommended to be integrated into the nursing curricula and routine care plans for comatose trauma patients in intensive care units.

Effects of Organized Auditory Stimulation by Familiar Voice on Blood Pressure and Body Temperature in Comatose Patients

Introduction: Brain injury induced coma is the main cause of hospitalization of patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) and their consequent stressful physiological complications, which can be prevented using sensory stimulation as a therapeutic method. Nevertheless, identifying and using the optimal sensory stimulation program is crucial. Objective: The present study was conducted to determine the effects of organized auditory stimulation by familiar voice on blood pressure and body temperature in patients admitted to ICUs. Materials and Methods: The present clinical trial was conducted on 60 comatose patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) admitted to the ICU of Poursina Teaching Hospital, Rasht, Iran. The patients were randomly assigned to the intervention group (N=30) and the control group. In the intervention group, auditory stimulation was conducted using significant others’ voices in three consecutive evening shifts, 10 minutes each time. Blood pressure and body temperature were evaluated using a checklist, and the findings obtained were analyzed using ANOVA, the t-test and the Chi-square test. Results: The results obtained revealed significant differences in the mean blood pressure and body temperature before and after auditory stimulation in the intervention group (P<0.001), while these differences were insignificant in the controls. The two groups were also found to be insignificantly different in terms of the three-day variations in the mean blood pressure and the mean body temperature. Conclusion: Given the significant effects of auditory stimulation on hemodynamic indicators, auditory stimulation by familiar voice is recommended in comatose patients admitted to ICUs through face-to-face visits with their family members or by playing their recorded voice.

The treatment of severe self-injurious behavior through sensory stimulation: A case report

Self-injurious behavior of an institutionalized man with profound intellectual disability was treated with a daily 15-min sensory stimulation program, which consisted of moving the arms and hands of the participant, swinging his body, and massage. The frequency of self-injurious behavior was measured in 10-min sessions. Using a reversal design, it was shown that sensory stimulation decreased the participant’s self-hitting behavior significantly, both in intensity and in frequency. Sensory stimulation is recommended for use in those cases in which functional analysis has shown that self-injury may be reinforced by its sensory consequences.

Effects of a Sensory Stimulation by Nurses and Families on Level of Cognitive Function, and Basic Cognitive Sensory Recovery of Comatose Patients With Severe Traumatic Brain Injury: A Randomized Control Trial.

BackgroundSeveral lines of evidence suggest that early sensory stimulation and regular family visiting programs are potential nursing interventions to improve the outcomes of head injured comatose patients. However, little is known about the impacts of family involvement in providing sensory stimulation.ObjectivesTo determine the effects of a sensory stimulation program conducted by nurses and families on the consciousness, level of cognitive function, and basic cognitive sensory recovery of head injury comatose patients.Patients and MethodsThis was a randomized clinical trial performed at the Shiraz level I trauma center including 60 head injured comatose patients with an initial Glasgow coma score (GCS) of less than 8. Patients were randomly assigned to receive sensory stimulation by a qualified nurse (nurse group; n = 20), by the family (family group; n = 20), or usual care (control group; n = 20). The sensory stimulation program involving the nurses and patients’ families was conducted, twice daily, in the morning and evening for 7 days. The level of consciousness, level of cognitive function, and basic cognitive sensory recovery of the patients were evaluated and monitored using the GCS, Rancho Los Amigos (RLA), and Western Neuro-Sensory stimulation profile (WNSSP). Data were analyzed by chi square, Kruskal-Wallis, and repeated-measures tests using SPSS.ResultsAll the patients were comparable regarding their baseline characteristics, level of consciousness, level of cognitive function, and basic cognitive sensory recovery determined by GCS, RLA, and WNSSP. Although the two intervention groups of the study improved, those who received the sensory stimulation program from their families had significantly higher GCS (P = 0.001), RLA (P = 0.001), and WNSSP (P = 0.001) scores after 7 days when compared to the two other groups.ConclusionsThe application of sensory stimulation by families led to significant increases in the consciousness, level of cognitive function, and basic cognitive sensory recovery of comatose patients with severe injuries.

The Effect of Family Guided Visits on the Level of Consciousness in Traumatic Brain Injury

Sensory stimulation in patients with a decreased level of consciousness in the intensive care unit (ICU) can affect the level of consciousness. Thus, this study was conducted to determine the effect of family guided visits on the level of consciousness in traumatic brain injury patients admitted to ICU. A cluster randomization design was used. Patients were divided into the two groups. The patients in the intervention group were visited daily by a trained member of a family receiving touch and auditory stimulations for 14 days. The control group met the patients regularly every day for 30 minutes each day. The level of consciousness was measured 30 minutes before and 30 minutes after the visits using the Glascow Coma Scale (GCS). The repeated measured ANOVA results revealed that the mean scores of GCS have significantly increased over time (from the first day to the fourteenth day) in the intervention group (p<0.001) and the control group (p<0.001). The increase in the intervention group was significantly higher than the control group (p<0.001). Structured and guided family meeting could improve the level of consciousness of the comatose patients. It is recommended that the closest family members, with adequate training, perform sensory stimulation program at the proper time.

A sensorimotor stimulation program for rehabilitation of chronic stroke patients

The hypothesis of this study is that intensive therapy by means of a sensory and motor stimulation program of the upper limb in patients with chronic hemiparesis and severe disability due to stroke increases mobility and sensibility, and improves the use of the affected limb in activities of daily living (ADL). The program consists of 16 sessions of sensory stimulation and functional activity training in the rehabilitation center, and daily sessions of tactile stimulation, mental imaginery and practice of ADL at home, during 8 weeks. An experimental group (EG) of 12 patients followed this program, compared with a control group (CG) of 9 patients under standard rehabilitation. The efficacy of the program was evaluated by Fugl Meyer Assessment (FMA), Motor Activity Log (MAL) and Stroke Impact Scale-16 (SIS-16) scores, and a battery of sensory tests. The results show that in both groups, the motor FMA and the SIS-16 improved during the 8 weeks, this improvement being higher in the EG. Significant improvements were observed for the sensory tests in the EG. The intensive sensorimotor stimulation program for the upper extremity may be an efficacious method for improving function and use of the affected limb in ADL in chronic stroke patients.

Effects of the Sensory Stimulation Program on Recovery in Unconscious Patients With Traumatic Brain Injury

In Brief Unconscious patients after brain injury may survive for days or months and often experience decreased quality of life. To facilitate the recovery process and to prevent sensory deprivation after brain injury, sensory stimulation program (SSP) beginning in the early stages of recovery can be beneficial. This quasi-experimental study examined the effect of an SSP on recovery in unconscious patients after traumatic brain injury. Unconscious patients were divided into control and experimental groups. SSP was directed to five sensory modalities including tactile, gustatory, olfactory, auditory, and visual. Response to stimulation was assessed using the modified Sensory Modality Assessment and Rehabilitation Technique score and the Glasgow Coma Scale score. SSP was initiated 6.65 ± 2.35 days after injury in the control group and 6.8 ± 2.48 days for the experimental group. The results showed that mean modified Sensory Modality Assessment and Rehabilitation Technique scores after commencing the SSP in the experimental group were significantly higher than those in the control group (14.76 ± 2.33 vs. 8.72 ± 1.52, respectively, p < .05). Mean Glasgow Coma Scale scores after commencing the SSP in the experimental group were significantly higher than those in the control group (10.45 ± 1.82 vs. 5.9 ± 1.77, respectively, p < .05). The results indicated that the SSP can enhance brain recovery in traumatic brain-injured patients. This prospective research study, undertaken in Thailand, examines the effects of a sensory stimulation program (SSP) on the recovery of comatose, posttraumatic brain-injured patients. Using the SMART intervention protocol, nurses in the neurosurgical intensive care unit demonstrated a significant improvement in brain function recovery.

Effects of Sensory Stimulation Program Conducted by Primipara on the Physical Growth and Mother-Infant Feeding Interaction for Full Term Infant

The purpose of this study was to identify the effectiveness of sensory stimulation program administered by primipara on the physical growth and mother-infant feeding interaction for the first 6 months of infancy. Data were collected from December 1, 2001 to June 30, 2003. A total of 35 mothers and their infants were assigned to a control (n=17) and an experimental (n=18) group. Mothers in the experimental group received education related to sensory stimulation program and administered to their infants twice a day for 6 months. Both groups were measured the weight, length, head circumference and chest circumference of infants at 6 weeks, 10 weeks, 14 weeks, 18 weeks, and 22 weeks and the mother-infant feeding interaction at 6 weeks, 10 weeks through the home visiting. Compared to the control group, the experimental group had significantly larger increases in head circumference for intervention period. In addition to, the experimental group showed significantly higher score in mother-infant interaction than control group. These data suggested that sensory stimulation program administered by primipara may improve the physical growth of full term infant and mother-infant feeding interaction.

Cognitive-behavioral recovery in comatose patients following auditory sensory stimulation.

Nursing therapies promote recovery following severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). However, the type and dose of treatment needed to stimulate functional plasticity have not been determined. In this quasi-experimental study, the effects of a structured auditory sensory stimulation program (SSP) were examined in 12 male patients, 17-55 years old, with severe TBI. SSP was initiated 3 days after injury and continued for 7 days. Recovery was measured by comparing baseline Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), Sensory Stimulation Assessment Measure (SSAM), Ranchos Los Amigos Level of Cognitive Functioning Scale (RLA), and Disability Rating Scale (DRS) scores to ending scores between those who received SSP and those who did not. For the intervention group a positive recovery of function trajectory was found for mean GCS, and there was a greater improvement in GCS and RLA scores between baseline and at discharge testing periods. DRS and SSAM scores at baseline and at discharge were significantly different. SSP did not affect hemodynamic or cerebral dynamic status. Early and repeated exposure to an SSP may promote arousal from severe TBI without adversely influencing cerebral dynamic status.

Effects of A Sensory Stimulation Program on Growth and Behavioral Development of Infants

Effects of A Sensory Stimulation Program on Growth and Behavioral Development of Infants

Utilization of a comprehensive sensory stimulation program with a comatose tetraplegic patient

To date, there has been a relative absence of studies which have examined the utility and effectiveness of sensory stimulation procedures in comatose, spinal-cord-injured patients. This report describes the interdisciplinary utilization (within an acute care setting) of a comprehensive sensory stimulation programme with a 21-year-old, comatose, tetraplegic male patient. To promote behavioural arousal, multiple sensory stimulation sessions were conducted with the patient daily. Within each session (and across sensory modalities), the effectiveness of sensory stimulation procedures was evaluated via use of A-B-A within-subject designs. Results indicated that the patient exhibited significantly greater behavioural arousal during sensory stimulation (B1), as compared to pre-(A1) and post-(A2) treatment baselines. There was also a non-significant trend of increased behavioural arousal during the post- as compared to the pre-treatment baselines (i.e. carry-over effect). By termination of this programme, the patient exhibited an overall increased level of arousal/behavioural responsiveness (i.e. decreased coma) as compared to his level at the initiation of this programme. These findings are discussed in light of factors that may affect the effectiveness and implementation of such sensory stimulation programmes with comatose, tetraplegic patients in acute care settings.