Running head: SENSORY PROCESSING DISORDER AND ELECTRICAL ACTIVITY

Sensory Processing Disorder and the Magnitude of Electrical Activity in the Brain
Steven J. Boyer
University of North Carolina at Charlotte

SENSORY PROCESSING DISORDER AND ELECTRICAL ACTIVITY

Abstract
Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) or Sensory Integration Disorder affects the brains
interpretation of sensory input. There are three sub-categories of SPD: hypersensitivity,
hyposensitivity, and sensory craving (citation); only the first two will be studied in this
experiment in addition to a neurotypical age matched group. It is hypothesized that the
magnitude of electrical activity in the brain will trend higher than control in those that experience
hypersensitive Sensory Processing Disorder, and the opposite trend will occur in data collected
from those that experience hyposensitive SPD, showing lower magnitude of electrical activity.

SENSORY PROCESSING DISORDER AND ELECTRICAL ACTIVITY

Introduction
Research into SPD has only just begun; much more research must be conducted in order
to gain a better understanding of the nature of the disorder and possible treatments. As Chang
states in a 2014 study, There are important limitations to note for this study, which should
motivate further investigation. First, we have not determined an optimal method for
characterizing the sensory subtypes and distinguishing between hypo- or hyper-sensory
sensitivity, nor do we have sufficient power in this study for sensory subtype group analysis.
Conducting this study will begin to fill in information deficits and act as a base upon which more
research can be conducted. Increased interest in research, even when not much information is
present can help the case for inclusion of a disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of
Mental Disorders (Kendler, 2009).
Method
Participants
Three groups of fifteen to twenty right handed boys ages 12-14 will participate in the
experiment. The groups will be divided into: hypersensitive SPD sub-group; hyposensitive SPD
sub-group; and control, neurotypicals matched with the hypo- and hypersensitive SPD
participant groups in characteristics including handedness and IQ.
Design
Visual, auditory, and tactile sensitivity will be tested using identical stimuli among the three
groups. Participants will be interviewed after introduction of the stimulus in order to gather
qualitative data assisting in the interpretation of the quantitative data received from the
electroencephalograph (EEG) results.

SENSORY PROCESSING DISORDER AND ELECTRICAL ACTIVITY

Materials
While hooked up to an EEG via electrode on their foreheads, participants will be exposed to
several images varying in color and pattern and several audio clips varying in intensity and pitch.
Included in tactile sensory input devices are: a feather and a pin.
Procedures
Before data can be collected, the participants must be connected to the EEG machine.
Each participant in the control group will be shown identical images in sequence in a quiet room.
An interview will then be conducted to gather information about the participants experience of
the visual stimulus (e.g. if the stimulus was considered unpleasant, busy, or distracting to the
eyes).
Through the duration of the auditory stimulus exposure, participants will be asked to close their
eyes. Each participant will be exposed to identical audio clips in sequence and interviewed again
for their experience of the auditory stimulus.
Participants will be asked again to close their eyes for tactile stimulus exposure. The
participants left hand will be placed in supine position in the palm of a research assistant. The
research assistant will brush a feather along the palm of the participant, maintaining consistent
pressure with each participant; they will then prick the left index finger of the participants, again
maintaining consistent pressure with each participant. The participants will be asked to rate the
pin prick on a pain scale from 0-10.
The procedures will be repeated with the hyper- and hyposensitive SPD sub-groups.
Results

SENSORY PROCESSING DISORDER AND ELECTRICAL ACTIVITY

This experiment will yield quantitative data from the EEG readings and qualitative data from the
participants describing their experience of the sensory stimuli.

Discussion
Regardless of whether or not data gathered supports the hypothesis, analysis of the data will lead
to a greater understanding of the root causes of differences in sensory processing and integration
on a physiological level. If data is supportive of the hypothesis, future research can be taken
father in the direction of analyzing electrical signal strength, possibly looking into specific areas
or structures, rather than looking at the brain as a whole.

SENSORY PROCESSING DISORDER AND ELECTRICAL ACTIVITY

Chang Y-S, Owen JP, Desai SS, Hill SS, Arnett AB, Harris J, et al. (2014, July 30) Autism and
Sensory Processing Disorders: Shared White Matter Disruption in Sensory Pathways but
Divergent Connectivity in Social-Emotional Pathways. Retrieved from
http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0103038
Kendler, K., Kupfer, D., Narrow, W., Phillips, K., and Fawcett, J. (2009, October 21). Guidelines
for Making Changes to DSM-V. Retrieved from:
http://www.dsm5.org/ProgressReports/Documents/Guidelines-for-Making-Changes-toDSM_1.pdf