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Introduction: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a sensory processing, social communication, and occupational performance disorder. Sensory diets can have positive effects on these fields. Current research compared the effectiveness of the sensory diet program with and without teleoccupational therapy on sensory processing patterns, social competency and occupational performance in children with ASD. Materials and Methods: The study sample comprised 32 children with ASD 4-10 years old. They were placed in the control and intervention groups. The number of sessions for both groups was 20 30-minute sessions administered over 8 weeks. Through photos, videos, and explanations, sensory problems were described in both groups, the mother presented and implemented activities and environmental adaptations, and the therapist supervised the implementation. This study used three tools--sensory profile 2, social responsive scale 2 and Canadian occupational performance measure. Results: According to the sensory profile 2, social responsiveness scale, and Canadian occupational performance measure, processing in the areas of auditory, visual, touch, movement, body position, oral, conduct, social-emotional, attentional, sensory seeking, sensory avoiding, sensory sensitive, low registration, social awareness, social cognition, social communication, social motivation, limited interests, repetitive behaviors, and occupational performance in both groups have a significant difference (P<0.05). Conclusion: It seems that providing a sensory diet program through teleoccupational therapy on sensory processing patterns, social competency, and occupational performance is applicable, as well as face-to-face occupational therapy in children with ASD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was designed to increase our understanding about characteristics and the impact of sensory symptoms (SS) and signs of hyperarousal (HA) in individuals with fragile X syndrome (FXS) from childhood through early adulthood and by gender. Data derived from the Fragile X Online Registry With Accessible Research Database (FORWARD), a natural history study of FXS, were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multivariate linear and logistic regression models to examine SS and signs of HA, their impact on behavioral regulation and limitations on the subject/family. The sample (N = 933) consisted of 720 males and 213 females. More males were affected with SS (87% vs. 68%) and signs of HA (92% vs. 79%). Subjects who were endorsed as having a strong sensory response had more comorbidities, including behavioral problems. The predominant SS was difficulty with eye gaze that increased with age in both genders. As individuals age, there was less use of non-medication therapies, such as occupational therapy (OT)/physical therapy (PT), but there was more use of psychopharmacological medications and investigational drugs for behaviors. Multiple regression models suggested that endorsing SS and signs of HA was associated with statistically significantly increased ABC-C-I subscale scores and limited participation in everyday activities. This study improves our understanding of SS and signs of HA as well as their impact in FXS. It supports the need for more research regarding these clinical symptoms, especially to understand how they contribute to well-known behavioral concerns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Hallucinations are serious symptoms that can lead to high levels of distress, functional impairment, and increased risk of suicide in both adults and children. However, their etiology and treatment remain unclear. Hallucinations and sensory processing difficulties (SPDs) are associated with various psychiatric disorders, including mood, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder. This study aimed to investigate the potential association between hallucinations and SPDs in a pediatric population. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study with 335 children aged 6--18 years who visited the child psychiatry outpatient clinic at Osaka Metropolitan University Hospital between April 2020 and March 2023 and continued treatment for at least three months. After excluding those with intellectual disabilities or uncontrolled epilepsy, 304 participants were included in the analyses. The presence of hallucinations was assessed through interviews with the children and their parents. SPDs were evaluated using the Short Sensory Profile. Binomial logistic regression analysis was conducted to assess the association between hallucinations and SPDs, adjusting for age, sex, autism spectrum disorder, socioeconomic difficulties (low-income, single-parent households), and the presence of mood and anxiety disorders. Results: Hallucinations were present in 64 children (21%). Logistic regression analysis showed a significant positive association between SPDs and hallucinations, even after adjusting for age, sex, autism spectrum disorder, socioeconomic difficulties, and the presence of mood and anxiety disorders (odds ratio, 1.02; 95% CI, 1.008--1.036; p = 0.002). Conclusion: The results of this study suggest a potential association between hallucinations and SPDs in pediatric patients. Further prospective studies are needed to explore the causal relationship between these factors and determine whether interventions for SPDs can alleviate hallucinations in children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: With the increasing global aging population, the health and welfare of elderly individuals, especially individuals with prevalent mild cognitive impairment (MCI) living in nursing homes, have become critical concerns. These concerns highlight the urgency of developing effective interventions to address the cognitive and psychological needs of elderly individuals, ensuring their well-being and alleviating the burden on their caregivers. Objective: This study investigates the impact of wooden toy training on mitigating cognitive decline in elderly individuals with cognitive impairment. It evaluates how this training influences cognitive functions and psychological well-being, exploring whether it can slow or reverse the progression of cognitive decline. This outcome will be assessed in a randomized controlled trial, in which changes in cognitive ability and psychological health indicators among the participants will be measured. Design: A two-arm, open-label, cluster-randomized controlled trial. Setting(s): The study was conducted in two nursing homes, which served as both the recruitment sites for participants and the intervention locations. These nursing homes were selected for their ability to facilitate the intervention and for their representative demographic characteristics of the elderly population. The settings provided a controlled environment that was conducive to implementing the wooden toy training program and observing its effects on the participants. Participants: A total of 76 elderly participants with mild cognitive impairment but functional independence were recruited. Methods: Participants were randomized into an intervention group and a control group. The intervention group engaged in an 8-week wooden toy training program, whereas those in the control cohort received customary nursing care. Standardized cognitive and psychological well-being measures were used to assess improvements in cognitive performance and mental health. Results: Significant improvements were observed in the cognitive functions of the intervention group from a baseline score of M = 13.11 to M = 16.29 postintervention (95% CI [-4.44, -1.93]), along with reductions in depressive symptoms from a baseline score of M = 8.63 to M = 7.18 (95% CI [0.38, 2.51]). Additionally, engagement in activities with wooden toys significantly satisfied their need for competence, increasing from a baseline of M = 16.29 to M = 20 postintervention (95% CI [-5.92, -1.51]), and relatedness, which improved from a baseline of M = 20.32 to M = 22.95 (95% CI [-4.73, -0.53]). Conclusions: This study underscores the potential of a wooden toy intervention in nursing homes that combines cognitive challenges with traditional cultural elements to improve cognitive functions in elderly individuals with mild cognitive impairment. Our findings suggest a novel method of promoting the cognitive and psychological health of nursing home residents through emotional comfort and social interaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) patients may have an increased risk of neoplasia. The aim was to evaluate the incidence of malignant neoplasia in IBD patients, associated risk factors and therapy adjustments. Methods: Unicentric retrospective cohort study. All patients followed for IBD in a tertiary portuguese hospital and oncological centre during 2015–2020 were included. Results: 318 patients were included female 55.0%, age at diagnosis = 37.24(±15,28), Crohn's disease 52.5%, Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis n = 7, family history of cancer n = 12, previous diagnosis of neoplasia n = 23(7.2%). 42 cancers were diagnosed in 35 patients (11.0%) ‐ median of 12.0(IQR = 7.5‐21.0) years after IBD diagnosis. Most affected organs were the skin (n = 15 in 11 patients; melanoma = 1), colon/rectum (n = 8 in 6 patients), prostate (n = 4), breast (n = 3) and anal canal (n = 2). In those with non‐melanoma skin cancer, 6 were under active treatment with azathioprine and 2 had stopped it for more than two years. In the univariate analysis, the occurrence of neoplasia was positively associated with tobacco exposure (p = 0.022), age at IBD diagnosis (p = 0.021), and negatively with infliximab exposure (p = 0.046). In 9 cases, cancer treatment was different because of the IBD, while IBD treatment was changed in 9 patients. In those affected by cancer, in the univariate analysis, its cure/remission was negatively associated with tobacco exposure (p = 0.004) and positively with salicylates use (p = 0.007). Conclusion: In IBD patients, cancer mostly affected the skin and the lower digestive system. As in the general population, tobacco exposure was a risk factor for the development of neoplasia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: Upper limb recovery after stroke tends to be slower and incomplete. Participation in motor rehabilitation and exercise adherence are crucial to improve motor recovery. However, post‐stroke depression (PSD) could impede active participation in exercises. Therefore, this study investigates the association between depression and exercise adherence among community‐dwelling stroke survivors. Methods: This cross‐sectional study was conducted among 215 stroke survivors undergoing motor rehabilitation between February 2021 and January 2023. Patient Health Questionnaire‐9 (PHQ‐9) and Stroke‐Specific Measure of Adherence to Home‐based Exercises (SS‐MAHE) were measured to assess depression symptoms and exercise adherence, respectively. Fugl‐Meyer Assessment‐Upper Extremity (FMA‐UE) was administered to identify the influence of impairment on these factors. Chi‐square and multinomial and binary logistic regression analyses were applied to determine the relationships between these measurements. Results: Using the Chi‐square test, the PHQ‐9 was significantly associated with SS‐MAHE (p < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis revealed that patients with moderate depression had lower odds of exercise adherence (OR:0.69, 95%CI:0.56, 0.85, p < 0.01) compared to those with no depression. Type of exercises such as movement‐based (OR:2.00, 95%CI:1.80, 2.24, p < 0.001) and task‐based exercises (OR:1.80, 95%CI:1.53, 2.13, p < 0.001), had higher adherence odds compared to those not exercising. Severe impairment (FMA‐UE) was significantly associated with lower exercise adherence (OR:0.71, 95%CI:0.54, 0.94, p < 0.05) and an increased risk of minimal depression (RR:11.09, 95%CI:1.17, 105.04, p < 0.05) compared to mild impairment. Conclusions: PSD significantly impacts exercise adherence, with moderate depression notably reducing adherence rates. Incorporating mental health support into stroke rehabilitation could improve exercise adherence and potentially enhance upper limb motor recovery outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: We evaluated the clinical and cost-effectiveness of manualised sensory integration therapy (SIT) for autistic children with sensory processing difficulties in a two-arm randomised controlled trial. Trial processes and contextual factors which may have affected intervention outcomes were explored within a nested process evaluation. This paper details the process evaluation methods and results. We also discuss implications for evaluation of individual level, tailored interventions in similar populations. Methods: The process evaluation was conducted in line with Medical Research Council guidance. Recruitment, demographics, retention, adherence, and adverse effects are reported using descriptive statistics. Fidelity of intervention delivery is reported according to the intervention scoring manual. Qualitative interviews with therapists and carers were undertaken to explore the acceptability of the intervention and trial processes. Qualitative interviews with carers explored potential contamination. Results: Recruitment, reach and retention within the trial met expected thresholds. One hundred thirty-eight children and carers were recruited (92% of those screened and 53.5% of those who expressed an interest) with 77.5% retained at 6 months and 69.9% at 12 months post-randomisation. The intervention was delivered with structural and process fidelity with the majority (78.3%) receiving a 'sufficient dose' of intervention. However, there was considerable individual variability in the receipt of sessions. Carers and therapists reported that trial processes were generally acceptable though logistical challenges such as appointment times, travel and COVID restrictions were frequent barriers to receiving the intervention. No adverse effects were reported. Conclusions: The process evaluation was highly valuable in identifying contextual factors that could impact the effectiveness of this individualised intervention. Rigorous evaluations of interventions for autistic children are important, especially given the limitations such as limited sample sizes and short-term follow-up as faced by previous research. One of the challenges lies in the variability of outcomes considered important by caregivers, as each autistic child faces unique challenges. It is crucial to consider the role of parents or other caregivers in facilitating access to these interventions and how this may impact effectiveness. Trial registration: This trial is registered as ISRCTN14716440. August 11, 2016. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Early studies identified sensory phenomena as an important facet of hair pulling and skin picking. Research in this area has grown in recent years; however, extant research on sensory abnormalities in BFRBs demonstrates limitations. The current study seeks to address gaps in the literature by examining differences in the experiences of sensory phenomena among patients with BFRBs as compared to healthy controls. Methods: Participants were 106 individuals, including 72 with BFRBs (32 hair pulling disorder [HPD], 31 skin picking disorder [SPD], 9 HPD with SPD) and 34 healthy controls, aged 11–65 years. All participants were assessed for psychiatric diagnosis via clinician-rated interviews and rated global hair pulling and skin picking severity. Participants also rated sensory phenomena using the Sensory Gating Inventory and Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile. Results: Results revealed that participants with BFRBs exhibited significantly (or trends towards significantly) higher scores across most sensory domains (i.e., Over-inclusion, Distractibility, Stress-Fatigue Vulnerability, Low Registration, Sensation Avoidance, and Sensation Sensitivity) than healthy controls. There were no significant differences between discrete BFRB groups across any sensory experience. There were positive, moderate associations between a clinician-rated measure of skin picking-related global severity and most sensory experiences. Conclusions: These findings suggest that sensory dysregulation does separate those with BFRBs from healthy controls. Implications for future research and treatment are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The integration of a service dog can have numerous benefits for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). However, although integration takes place within a family, little is known about the dynamics of these benefits on the family microsystem. Thus, the aim of our study was to propose a more systemic perspective, not only by investigating the benefits of SD integration, but also by exploring the relationships between improvements in children with ASD, parents' well-being, parenting strategies and the quality of the child-dog relationship. Twenty parent-child with ASD dyads were followed before, as well as 3 and 6 months after service dog integration. At each stage, parents completed an online survey which included: the Autism Behavior Inventory (ABI-S), the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-Y), the Parenting Stress Index Short Version (PSI-SF), the Monash Dog Owner Relationship Scale (MDORS) and the Parenting Styles and Dimensions Questionnaire (PSDQ). First, repeated measure one-way ANOVAs revealed that both children's ASD symptoms and parents' anxiety decreased significantly after service dog integration. Additionally, Spearman correlations revealed that the more ASD symptoms decreased, the more parent's anxiety and parenting stress also decreased. Second, the quality of the child-dog relationship appeared to contribute to those benefits on both children's ASD symptoms and parents' well-being. Interestingly, parenting strategies seemed to adapt according to these benefits and to the quality of the child-dog relationship. Through a more systemic perspective, this study highlighted that the integration of a service dog involved reciprocal and dynamic effects for children with ASD and their parents, and shed new light on the processes that may underlie the effects of a service dog for children with ASD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Promotion de la Santé et Prévention des Maladies Chroniques au Canada is the property of Public Health Agency of Canada and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Introduction: This study examined the prevalence of functional difficulties and associated factors in Canadian children/youth aged 5 to 17 years diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Methods: We analyzed data from the 2019 Canadian Health Survey on Children and Youth (CHSCY), a nationally representative survey of Canadian children/youth that used the Washington Group Short Set on Functioning (WG-SS) to evaluate functioning in six daily tasks. For each functional domain, binary outcomes were derived (no/some difficulty, a lot of difficulty/no ability). We used logistic regression to identify associations between demographic characteristics, educational experiences, and perceived mental and general health and the most common functional difficulties, namely those related to remembering/concentrating, communication and self-care. All estimates were weighted to be representative of the target population. The bootstrap method was used to calculate variance estimates. Results: Analysis of the records of 660 children/youth with ASD revealed that the most common functional difficulties were remembering/concentrating (22%; 95% CI: 18-27), communicating (19%; 95% CI: 15-23) and self-care (13%; 95% CI: 10-17). Lower perceived mental health was associated with increased functional difficulties with remembering/concentrating. ASD diagnosis at a lower age and lower perceived general health were associated with increased functional difficulty with communication. Parental expectations for postsecondary education were associated with decreased functional difficulty for self-care. Conclusion: One or more functional difficulties from the WG-SS was present in 39% of Canadian children/youth aged 5 to 17 years with ASD. Functional difficulties with remembering/concentrating, communication and self-care were most common. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Deep pressure therapy (DPT) is widely used to reduce anxiety in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), but evidence of its efficacy is limited. Objective: This study aims to design a usable, nonstigmatizing compressive armchair that can be easily controlled, electronically, by the user. Methods: A user-centered approach was used to assess the usability of the device. Testing was carried out in a day hospital for children with ASD in France, with a convenience sample of children with severe forms of ASD and intellectual deficiency (N=39). The Witteman design guideline was used. The System Usability Scale and time of use were reported. Results: The final product is a compressive armchair designed to be user centered, with 4 different cells that can be inflated to induce tailored pressure on the body. The pressure level is recorded electronically. Usability was between good and excellent. The device was used by 39 children, once or twice weekly, over a period of 31 months. Each session lasted between 3 and 20 minutes. The armchair takes up less space than a hug machine. Performing sessions with the chair is feasible. Conclusions: First clinical impressions show a decrease in anxiety, improved emotional regulation, and improved attention. DPT is widely used in occupational therapy and frequently requested by parents, but efficacy studies are too scarce to make evidence-based recommendations for its use. The results presented here support further controlled efficacy studies of DPT in the treatment of anxiety in children with ASD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a common disorder among children. The architectural design of the treatment environment can be effective in the quality of rehabilitation for these children. On the other hand, considering that an important part of treatment for children with ASD is to meet their sensory needs, there is a need for intervention and adaptation to the environment (sensory regime). The study aims to investigate the effect of the interior architecture of rehabilitation centers on the outcome of occupational therapy for children with ASD. Materials & Methods This is an observational cross-sectional study on 50 children with ASD aged 3-14 years, who were assigned into two groups of treatment in standard and non-standard environments, according to interior architectural factors. They were assessed before and after occupational therapy. To rank the physical space of rehabilitation centers, a researcher-made questionnaire was used with 30 criteria measuring natural light intensity, light quality (natural or artificial), visibility and view of the inside of the building, noise and visual pollution, and color of the walls. The criteria were based on the opinions of 32 occupational therapists and parents of 50 ASD children. The sensory profile 2 was used to measure sensory processing patterns (sensation seeking, sensation avoiding, sensory sensitivity, and sensory registration) of children with ASD. The paired t-test was used for within-group comparison, and the independent t-test was used for between-group comparison. Results Both standard and non-standard treatment environments were effective in improving all four patterns of sensory processing (P=0.04). However, the rehabilitation center with standard design had a more significant positive effect on all four sensory processing patterns, including sensation seeking (P=0.001), sensation avoiding (P=0.001), sensory sensitivity (P=0.01), and sensory registration (P=0.001) compared to the non-standard environment. Conclusion The interior architecture of rehabilitation centers has a significant positive effect on the sensory processing patterns of children with ASD, which can affect the quality of rehabilitation services. Therefore, it is recommended to optimize the interior architecture of rehabilitation centers for ASD children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines the synoptic saying on serving two masters (Matt 6.24; Luke 16.13) in light of the evidence for jointly owned slaves in documentary papyri. The saying implies that the slave of two masters will inevitably be more loyal or exclusively loyal to one master. Scholars usually accept this as an accurate depiction of jointly owned slaves. However, the papyrological evidence shows that the relationship between jointly owned slaves and their owners varied in everyday life and that slaves had little control over their loyalty to each master. The saying is, therefore, not a fully realistic portrait of how jointly owned slaves served their masters in antiquity but is possibly a slave stereotype that contributes to the (un)faithful slave imageries in the Gospels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Physical activity is critical for the healthy development and well-being of children. Specifically, physical activity is associated with improvements in coordination, balance, attention, and behavior among elementary school-aged children. However, for many children, particularly those belonging to minority groups, opportunities to engage in quality physical activity programs outside school settings are limited. The purpose of this study was to examine the whether a physical activity program called Minds in Motion (MiM) The Maze before school, as compared with yoga, meets the criteria of the Comprehensive School Physical Activity Program framework as a before-school program to improve overall physical activity and academic performance among elementary school-age students. Methods: A total of 48 children attending an urban public school with large minority representation in the Midwest were randomly assigned to MiM-The Maze or yoga. Participants were assessed on motor proficiency, behavior, balance, and academic skills before and after training. Training consisted of either yoga or MiM-The Maze 30 minutes per day before school, 5 times per week for 12 weeks. Results: MiM-The Maze and yoga group students showed significant improvements in academic skills. Conclusions: MiM-The Maze is feasible and affordable before-school program to promote students' classroom behavior in elementary school students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims Psychological disorders such as autism spectrum in children can cause decreased awareness and performance in different areas. The present study aims to investigate the effect of sensory integration-based training on the sensory profile of male children with high-functioning autism. Methods This is a quasi-experimental study with a pretest/posttest design. The study population consists of all male children with high-functioning autism referred to Kahrizak Rehabilitation Center in Mohammad Shahr, Karaj, Iran, in 2019-2020, from whom 30 were selected using a purposive sampling method and equally divided into training and control groups. The training group received twelve 90-minute sessions of sensory integration-based training, while the control group did not receive any training. the Gilliam autism rating scale and short-form sensory profile (Dunn, 1999) were used to collect data. The data were analyzed using ANCOVA in SPSS software, version 23. Results The sensory integration-based training had a significant effect on the improvement of the sensory profile of children with high-spectrum autism spectrum. Conclusion Sensory integration-based training is effective in improving the sensory profile of male children with high-performance autism and can be used for this purpose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Social-emotional capacities contribute to children's mental health by helping them navigate their own and others' emotional states and forge healthy relationships. Caregivers and educators are critical socialization agents in early and middle childhood, but gaps remain in the systematic integration of social-emotional research into caregiver and educator trainings. The aim of this pilot study was to test the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a social-emotional training designed to promote caregivers' and educators' capacities to support social-emotional development in children ages 3–8 years. Methods: Fifty adults (n = 24 caregivers of children ages 3–8 years, n = 26 educators working with children ages 3–8 years) participated in a virtual training over 3 weeks. Participants completed pre-training, post-training, and 2-month follow-up questionnaires evaluating their knowledge of social-emotional concepts, use of training strategies, mental health, and satisfaction with the training. Caregivers also reported children's social-emotional capacities and mental health. Results: On average, caregivers and educators completed 83% of the virtual training sessions and reported high satisfaction with the training. Further, preliminary evidence indicated that caregivers' and educators' knowledge of social-emotional concepts increased pre- to post-training and was maintained at the 2-month follow-up. Increases in caregivers' and educators' knowledge and greater use of training strategies were associated with improvements in children's social-emotional capacities and caregivers' and educators' own mental health. Conclusions: These pilot results support the feasibility of infusing evidence-based social-emotional content into caregiver and educator training initiatives aimed at nurturing child social-emotional development and mental health. The results inform future evaluation of the short- and long-term benefits of this training with a full-scale randomized controlled trial design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article refers to resources, problems and challenges of autism diagnosis and support system in Poland. The resources include: the increasing number of specialists, diagnostic and therapeutic centres, well-established course of education for people working with youths, standardised and normalised diagnostic tools. The diagnostic process is not without some areas in need of our focus: the tendency of some specialists to make unauthorised diagnosis, overshadowing; underestimation of comorbidity of ASD with other disorders. The challenges refer to introducing an effective system of monitoring the services provided in form of certification and control in order to prevent their abuse, initiating category of temporary diagnosis; paying more attention on individual's resources, better cooperation among specialists, teachers and families, developing and unifying diagnostic standards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Unusual responses to sensory stimuli are considered a diagnostic symptom of autism spectrum disorder with mounting research efforts put towards understanding, characterizing, and treating such symptoms. Methods: This paper examines self and caregiver report tools used to measure sensory features in ASD through a systematic review of the psychometric evidence for their use. A total of 31 empirical papers were reviewed across 20 assessment tools. Substantial differences were identified in the specific sensory features defined across assessment tools. Sensory assessment questionnaires were evaluated against quality psychometric evidence criteria to provide a use recommendation. Results: Five assessments were identified to be "appropriate with conditions," while no sensory assessment tools were identified to have sufficient quality psychometric evidence to provide a recommendation of "Appropriate" for measuring sensory features in ASD. Conclusion: Evidence from this review highlights potentially significant shortcomings among the current methods used to measure sensory features in ASD and suggests the need for more efforts in developing psychometrically sound sensory assessment tools for use in ASD populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New technologies (NT) are increasingly used in Occupational Therapy (OT) interventions in people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). We conducted a scoping review to describe OT interventions investigated in scientific literature which use NT in children and adolescents with ASD. Two authors independently searched the scientific databases PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus and Web of Science, carried out a peer-review screening of articles and extracted data. Twenty studies met the inclusion criteria. OT interventions lasted between 1 week and 12 months, consisted of between 1 session per day and 5 sessions per week, were carried out exclusively by an occupational therapist, and the most used NT was the computer (n = 12). The duration of the interventions and assessment measures used varied greatly between studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Mental health issues in youths have cascading negative effects on school outcomes, professional life, and physical health. Psychological well-being (P-WB) is an important protective factor against mental illness. Preliminary research suggests that mindfulness- and yoga-based socio-emotional learning (SEL) interventions can each have a positive impact on preschoolers P-WB. The objective of this trial is to rigorously evaluate the effect of a 24-week combined mindfulness- and yoga- based SEL intervention in preschool children from a French socio-economically disadvantaged area. Methods: The P-WB promotion intervention is compared to a wait-list control condition in a cluster randomized controlled trial (RCT). Sixty-four pre-Kindergarten classrooms are randomized to the intervention or control group. Primary outcomes measure self-management capacity and core P-WB components: connection, insight, engagement, and positive relationship. Secondary outcomes include measures of mental health, executive functioning, and school performance. Primary and secondary outcomes are assessed through teacher questionnaires, standardized observations of children in school context, and experimental tasks and by collecting results of the national evaluation at first grade. All children-level outcomes are evaluated at pre-intervention, at the end of the intervention, and 1 year later (follow-up analysis), to the exception of school performance which is evaluated at follow-up only. Intention-to-treat analyses, accounting for clustering within classes, will adopt a random effects linear regression model to examine outcomes for the intervention versus control children. Discussion: This is the first trial to rigorously evaluate a combined mindfulness- and yoga-based P-WB promotion intervention, and the first RCT evaluating a SEL curriculum in French schools. Results may have key implications for P-WB promotion in preschool children. Trial registration: DRKS00028623. Retrospectively registered on 30 May 2022 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of International Journal of Early Childhood is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Objective: There is a growing body of evidence to substantiate that cutaneous psoriasis is associated with an increased risk for a multitude of systemic disorders. Although there is an extensive array of medical publications regarding psoriasis, the dental literature has almost exclusively been focused on erythema migrans and occasionally, with oral psoriatic mucositis, chronic periodontitis and psoriatic arthritis of the temporomandibular joint. This report will review the diversity of systemic comorbidities, namely cardiovascular, neurologic, renal, liver, gastrointestinal, pulmonary, endocrine, ocular, arthritic (including temporomandibular joint), nail, cutaneous and psychologic (including suicide) disorders; neoplasia; infection; dyslipidemia; vitamin D deficiency; substance abuse; higher mortality; and oral mucosal involvement. A discussion of the oral and maxillofacial relevance of these comorbidities is also provided. Method and Materials: The author conducted a PubMed search from 1975 through August 2017 for articles on comorbidities associated with psoriasis. For select topics, some relevant case reports were examined. Results: A search on PubMed yielded almost 44,000 articles on psoriasis and nearly 1,300 with the keywords psoriasis and comorbidities. Articles selected for discussion consisted mostly of recent systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Case reports were included when there was a restricted number of psoriatic patients with a particular comorbidity. Conclusion: When a patient presents with a history of psoriasis, the dental practitioner should expand the medical history process to ascertain possible correlated diseases. Information gleaned from this interview process may prompt the attending dental clinician to seek consultation with the patient's physician to gain greater insight to the severity of any prevailing comorbidities and engage in discussions for possible modifications in dental management. Knowledge of psoriatic comorbidities and their possible impact on dental care may improve clinical outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The development of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) has various influences on physical abilities. Identification of specific physical abilities of people with ADHD/ASDs as biomarkers for diagnosing these conditions is necessary. Therefore, in the present review, we aimed firstly to extract the difference in physical abilities of people with ADHD or ASDs compared to those of normal individuals. Secondly, we aimed to extract the specific physical ability characteristics for identifying potential diagnostic biomarkers in people with ADHD/ASDs. Methods: A systematic literature review was performed. The databases were searched for relevant articles on motor function deficits and characteristics of ADHD or ASD. Results: Forty-one cross-sectional studies and three randomized controlled trials were identified, comprising 33 studies of ADHD, 10 studies of ASDs, and 1 study of both ADHD and ASDs. The quality of studies varied. Three types of physical activities/exercises were identified, including coordinated movement, resistance-type sports, and aerobic-type sports. People with ADHD/ASDs generally exhibited poorer physical abilities for all types of activities, possibly because of low levels of physical activity. Specifically, we found temporal discoordination of movement in ADHD and integration or synchronization of separate movements in ASDs. Conclusion: Specific deficits in physical ability may be attributed to ADHD/ASDs. However, there is not enough research on the physical abilities of people with ADHD and ASDs to clarify the specific deficits. Investigation of specific motor functions that characterize ADHD/ASDs should be facilitated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the effect of multimodal sensorimotor training on the stereotypical behavior in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A group of 60 children with autism were taken in the study who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria and were grouped into two groups using simple random sampling. Group 1 was the interventional group with 30 participants and Group 2 was control group with 30 participants. A 12-week multi-modal sensorimotor training program was given to Group 1. The control group (Group 2) was also given a 12-week conventional physiotherapy intervention. The outcome measure used was the Indian Scale for Autism Assessment (ISAA). Pretest and posttest findings on ISAA were noted for both groups. RESULTS: Multimodal sensorimotor training program has good results compared to the control group in improving the stereotypical behavior in children with ASD. Children who were given conventional physiotherapy programs also showed improvement in their posttest results. On comparing the two groups, multimodal sensorimotor training was found to be more effective in children with ASD. CONCLUSION: There is a significant improvement in stereotype behavior, such as head banging, hand flapping, and repetitive behavior. Multimodal sensorimotor training helps to improve the stereotypic behavior in children with ASD. The present study gives a promising intervention program for children with ASD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined individual differences as well as the development of sensory processing difficulties in children with Williams syndrome (WS) using a cross-sectional (Experiment 1) and longitudinal design (Experiment 2). In Experiment 1, a clustering approach of sensory processing scores suggested two groups. Experiment 2 showed that the clusters identified in Experiment 1 were not stable across development, especially for those with high sensory impairments at either time point. Yet, most children experienced high impairments in sensory registration at both time points, suggesting impaired registration is a core phenotype of sensory processing in children with WS across development. Possible mechanisms, limitations and implications are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: To assess the effectiveness of iPad use on the attention span of a child with Smith Magenis Syndrome (n = 1), compared to attention span while working on the same tasks manually. Methods: An AB design with a baseline and an intervention phase was used. Three manual tasks were chosen for the baseline, which matched the participant's intellectual age by the Early Intervention Method: a jigsaw puzzle (six pieces), a shape sorter, and matching pictures. These same tasks were performed on an iPad during the intervention phase. Six baseline and nine intervention phase films were included in the analysis. The 15 films were independently scored twice by two observers: once to observe the types of distractions that occurred (such as standing up from the chair, calling the teacher, or turning around on the chair), and a second time to measure the effective working time. Results: iPad use led to a 45% decrease in the number of total distractions. The effective working time improved by 8% and showed a more consistent range compared to working on tasksbmanually. While task enjoyment was not directly measured, the observers and teachers agreed that working on the iPad appeared to be more enjoyable. Conclusions: In this single case study the participant showed that in his case iPad use can be effective in decreasing his distractions and therefore can improve his attention span. Enjoyment was higher while working with the iPad than performing tasks manually. This technology could therefore create more learning engagement for the participant, which could positively impact his behavior. Further research into iPad implementation for children with intellectual disabilities, poor fine motor skills, and/or attention deficits is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Depression is widespread among adolescents and seriously endangers their quality of life and academic performance. Developing strategies for adolescent depression has important public health implications. No systematic review on the effectiveness of physical exercise for adolescents aged 12–18 years with depression or depressive symptoms has previously been conducted. This study aims to systematically evaluate the effect of physical exercise on adolescent depression in the hope of developing optimum physical exercise programs. Methods: Nine major databases at home and abroad were searched to retrieve randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on exercise interventions among adolescents with depression or depressive symptoms. The retrieval period started from the founding date of each database to May 1, 2021. The methodological quality of the included articles was evaluated using the modified PEDro scale. A meta-analysis, subgroup analysis, sensitivity analysis, and publication bias tests were then conducted. Results: Fifteen articles, involving 19 comparisons, with a sample size of 1331, were included. Physical exercise significantly reduced adolescent depression (standardized mean difference [SMD] = − 0.64, 95% CI − 0.89, − 0.39, p < 0.01), with a moderate effect size, in both adolescents with depression (SMD = -0.57, 95% CI − 0.90, − 0.23, p < 0.01) and adolescents with depressive symptoms (SMD = − 0.67, 95% CI − 1.00, − 0.33, p < 0.01). In subgroups of different depression categories (depression or depressive symptoms), aerobic exercise was the main form of exercise for the treatment of adolescents with depression. For adolescents with depression, interventions lasting 6 weeks, 30 min/time, and 4 times/week had optimum results. The effects of aerobic exercise and resistance + aerobic exercise in the subgroup of adolescents with depressive symptoms were significant, while the effect of physical and mental exercise (yoga) was not significant. For adolescents with depressive symptoms, aerobic exercise lasting 8 weeks, 75–120 min/time, and 3 times/week had optimum results. Physical exercise with moderate intensity is a better choice for adolescents with depression and depressive symptoms. Conclusions: Physical exercise has a positive effect on the improvement of depression in adolescents. The protocol for this study was registered with INPLASY (202170013). DOI number is 10.37766/inplasy2021.7.0013. Registration Date:2021.7.06. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Evidence suggests young people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have lower levels of emotion regulation than typically developing peers and struggle to modulate the frequency and intensity of their emotions. It may be that these emotion regulation difficulties are a result of co-occurring alexithymia rather than being a core symptom of ASD. We explored the associations between alexithymia and emotion regulation in 43 young people with ASD, aged 10 – 18 years, through self and parent report questionnaires. Parents completed questionnaires measuring the young person's emotion regulation skills and ASD symptom severity. The young people completed measures of emotion regulation and alexithymia. Correlational analysis and linear regression were used to investigate the relationships between ASD severity, alexithymia and emotion regulation. As predicted, high levels of alexithymia and high level of emotion dysregulation were reported by the young people. Parents also scored the young people as being high on emotion dysregulation. We found statistically significant correlations between alexithymia and emotion regulation, as reported by young people themselves, with some large effect sizes. Parental report of emotion regulation did not correlate with the measure of alexithymia. The source of discrepancies between parent and adolescent perceptions of emotion regulation and emotion recognition are discussed. These results highlighted the key role emotion regulation difficulties play in the lives of young people with ASD and the association with alexithymia. High levels of alexithymia are likely to impinge on the selection of appropriate emotion regulation strategies. The clinical implications for treatment are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous research has demonstrated that sleep disturbances are positively correlated with sensory sensitivities in children with ASD. Most of these studies, however, were based on cross-sectional analyses, where the relationship across symptom domains was examined at a single time-point. Here, we examined the development of 103 pre-school children with ASD over a 1–3-year period. The results revealed that spontaneous longitudinal changes in sleep disturbances were specifically correlated with changes in sensory sensitivities and not with changes in other sensory processing domains nor with changes in core ASD symptoms. These finding demonstrate a consistent longitudinal relationship between sleep disturbances and sensory sensitivities, which suggests that these symptoms may be generated by common or interacting underlying physiological mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Autistic students may experience difficulty performing classroom tasks due to atypical sensory processing and inefficient use of higher-order cognitive strategies. Limited research has investigated the influence of in-class sensory activities to enhance the thinking strategies required for task performance. This study evaluated a classroom-based sensory activity schedule and its impact on cognitive strategy use. Methods: A quasi-experimental, non-equivalent groups design was used. Students (n = 30, mean age 7.4 years) with atypical sensory processing negatively impacting classroom performance, and their teachers (n = 23), from six autism-specific schools were grouped into intervention (Sensory Activity Schedule and usual teaching) and control (usual teaching only) groups. Students' cognitive strategy use during the performance of classroom tasks was evaluated at baseline and post-intervention using Perceive, Recall, Plan, Perform Stage Two Cognitive Task Analysis. Results: Statistical analysis (Mann–Whitney U test) indicated that students who received the Sensory Activity Schedule intervention improved significantly more than control group students in overall cognitive strategy use (Z = –2.32, p = 0.02), and with strategy items involving attention and sensory perception (perceive, Z = –2.26, p = 0.02), and planning and organisation (Plan, Z = –.254, p = 0.01). Conclusion: The Sensory Activity Schedule may enhance autistic students' capacity to apply cognitive strategies more effectively during performance of classroom tasks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This systematic review describes a set of practices that have evidence of positive effects with autistic children and youth. This is the third iteration of a review of the intervention literature (Odom et al. in J Autism Dev Disorders 40(4):425–436, 2010a; Prevent School Fail 54(4):275–282, 2010b; Wong et al. in https://autismpdc.fpg.unc.edu/sites/autismpdc.fpg.unc.edu/files/imce/documents/2014-EBP-Report.pdf; J Autism Dev Disorders 45(7):1951–1966, 2015), extending coverage to articles published between 1990 and 2017. A search initially yielded 31,779 articles, and the subsequent screening and evaluation process found 567 studies to include. Combined with the previous review, 972 articles were synthesized, from which the authors found 28 focused intervention practices that met the criteria for evidence-based practice (EBP). Former EBPs were recategorized and some manualized interventions were distinguished as meeting EBP criteria. The authors discuss implications for current practices and future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Schizophrenia (SZ) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) share considerable clinical features and intertwined historical roots. It is greatly needed to explore their similarities and differences in pathophysiologic mechanisms. We assembled a large sample size of neuroimaging data (about 600 SZ patients, 1000 ASD patients, and 1700 healthy controls) to study the shared and unique brain abnormality of the two illnesses. We analyzed multi-scale brain functional connectivity among functional networks and brain regions, intra-network connectivity, and cerebral gray matter density and volume. Both SZ and ASD showed lower functional integration within default mode and sensorimotor domains, but increased interaction between cognitive control and default mode domains. The shared abnormalties in intra-network connectivity involved default mode, sensorimotor, and cognitive control networks. Reduced gray matter volume and density in the occipital gyrus and cerebellum were observed in both illnesses. Interestingly, ASD had overall weaker changes than SZ in the shared abnormalities. Interaction between visual and cognitive regions showed disorder-unique deficits. In summary, we provide strong neuroimaging evidence of the convergent and divergent changes in SZ and ASD that correlated with clinical features. Du et al used fMRI data from patients with schizophrenia (SZ) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) to analyze multi-scale brain functional connectivity and cerebral grey matter density and volume. They demonstrated the presence of convergent and divergent changes in SZ and ASD that correlated with clinical features. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent studies have established yoga practice as a mainstream complementary clinical tool within correctional environments. It is shown that regular yoga practice is coupled with improved impulse control, sustained attention, attenuated antisocial and self-harm behaviors, reduced stress, and psychological distress. No academic research until now has provided evidence of mental health benefits of yoga for institutionalized young people. In Sweden, each year more than thousand adolescents receive compulsory care at juvenile institutions run by the Swedish National Board of Institutional Care. These young people are characterized by substance abuse, aggressive and antisocial behaviors, high frequency of self-harm, and the experience of abuse. Most of them manifest attention problems, depression, anxiety, and impulsivity. They have a dramatically increased risk for recidivistic criminal behavior, continuous medical, and social care and untimely death. The present study plan aims at evaluating, with previously validated psychological measures, in a quasi-experimental design, the effects of yoga practice for institutionalized adolescents. Adolescents' experiences of participating in yoga practice will also be assessed by semi-structured individual interviews. Ethical approval was given by the Swedish Ethical Review Authority. It is hypothesized that yoga practice (in combination with the standard treatment within institutional care) will reduce institutionalized adolescents' aggression, antisocial behavior, anxiety, depression, and negative affect, and increase their cognitive flexibility (in the form of increased impulse control). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sensory-Based Interventions (SBIs) are often recommended to enable function/participation in children with ASD. Still, there are limited studies to evaluate their effectiveness. Acceptability studies are an important step towards establishing effective interventions. We examined parents' perceptions of the uptake and acceptability of such interventions. An online survey was sent to 399 families; response rate was 39%. The most frequently therapist-recommended interventions were trampoline (54.6%), massage (47.8%), and oral-motor tools (43.8%). Highest use was reported for massage (96.3%), trampoline (89.2%) and joint compressions and brushing (89.2%). The majority of parents viewed these interventions to be very important /important, (74.8%) but barriers to their use were identified. High acceptability of SBIs was reported by parents of children with ASD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]