Introduction: Nervous system impairment in children with neurological disorders prevents processing of play experience and influences proper movement development. One of the neurotherapeutic approaches for treatment of these children is sensory integration. The approach is based on connection of neurobiological processes of reception, modulation and integration of sensor information into final response. The aim was to review results of studies evaluating effects of sensory integration approach in children with autism, cerebral palsy and Down syndrome. Methods: The literature was reviewed in MEDLINE and ScienceDirect. Results: Eight randomised controlled trials and one controlled trial were included according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. Children with autism and cerebral palsy in seven studies achieved higher improvement in assessing motor function with sensory integration approach, in comparison to control group. Two studies in children with Down syndrome prefer other interventions over sensory integration approach. Conclusions: Sensory integration approach is efficient in children with autism and cerebral palsy, while other interventions are more efficient in children with Down syndrome. Further studies of higher methodological quality and evaluation of long-term effects on different neurological states are needed.
|