State of measurement in occupational therapy using sensory integration

Roseann C Schaaf; Janice Posatery Burke; Ellen Cohn; Teresa A May-Benson; Sarah A Schoen; Susanne Smith Roley; Shelly J Lane; L Diane Parham; Zoe Mailloux

doi:10.5014/ajot.2014.012526

State of measurement in occupational therapy using sensory integration

Am J Occup Ther. 2014 Sep-Oct;68(5):e149-53. doi: 10.5014/ajot.2014.012526.

Authors

Roseann C Schaaf¹, Janice Posatery Burke², Ellen Cohn³, Teresa A May-Benson⁴, Sarah A Schoen⁵, Susanne Smith Roley⁶, Shelly J Lane⁷, L Diane Parham⁸, Zoe Mailloux⁹

Affiliations

¹ Roseann C. Schaaf, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA, is Professor and Chair, Department of Occupational Therapy, Jefferson School of Health Professions, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, and Faculty, Farber Institute for Neurosciences, 901 Walnut Street, Suite 605, Philadelphia, PA 19107; Roseann.schaaf@jefferson.edu.
² Janice Posatery Burke, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA, is Dean, Jefferson School of Health Professions, and Professor, Department of Occupational Therapy, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA.
³ Ellen Cohn, ScD, OTR/L, FAOTA, is Clinical Professor and MSOT Program Director, Occupational Therapy, Department of Occupational Therapy, College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Boston University, Boston, MA.
⁴ Teresa A. May-Benson, ScD, OTR/L, FAOTA, is Executive Director, SPIRAL Foundation, Newton, MA.
⁵ Sarah A. Schoen, PhD, OTR, is Associate Director of Research, Sensory Processing Disorder Foundation, Greenwood Village, CO, and Associate Professor, Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions, Provo, UT.
⁶ Susanne Smith Roley, OTD, OTR/L, FAOTA, is Project Director, Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles.
⁷ Shelly J. Lane, PhD, OTR, FAOTA, is Professor, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Allied Health Professions, Department of Occupational Therapy, Richmond, VA.
⁸ L. Diane Parham, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA, is Professor, Occupational Therapy Graduate Program, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM.
⁹ Zoe Mailloux, OTD, OTR/L, FAOTA, is Adjunct Associate Professor, Department of Occupational Therapy, Jefferson School of Health Professions, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, and Professional and Program Development Consultant, Redondo Beach, CA.

PMID: 25184475
DOI: 10.5014/ajot.2014.012526

Abstract

This article presents the current state of measurement in the area of sensory integration within the field of occupational therapy in three areas: (1) phenotypic characterization, (2) intervention adherence and dosage, and (3) outcome measurement. The need for additional measurement tools in all three areas is addressed. In regard to outcome measurement of occupational therapy using sensory integration, the use of both qualitative and quantitative methods to obtain outcome data is recommended. Further, a strategy is recommended for obtaining outcome data from direct report from the child or other stakeholder.