Increasing social interactions in children with vibrations
Samayan, K., Dhanavendan, K., & Nachiketa, R. (2015). Research. Allied health professionals’ perceptions of the role of sensory integration therapy in managing challenging behaviours. International Journal of Therapy & Rehabilitation, 22(4).
* Recommends exposure to vibration alongside stroking with a brush and rubbing as part of sensory integration for hyposensitive children to manage behaviors.
* Recommends vibration as equipment that can help hyper or hypo sensitive individuals stimulate their proprioceptive sense to manage behaviors.
Koscinski, C. (2016). The Parent’s Guide to Occupational Therapy for Autism and Other Special Needs: Practical Strategies for Motor Skills, Sensory Integration, Toilet Training, and More. Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
* Recommends vibration as a therapeutic tool to help when learning to chew or gaining spatial skills for basic navigation
Bogdashina, O. (2016). Sensory perceptual issues in autism and asperger syndrome: different sensory experiences-different perceptual worlds, second edition. Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
* Recognizes enjoying vibration as a key sign of hyposensitive hearing
Shapiro, M., Melmed, R. N., Sgan-Cohen, H. D., & Parush, S. (2009). Effect of sensory adaptation on anxiety of children with developmental disabilities: a new approach. Pediatric dentistry, 31(3), 222-228.
* Found that vibroacoustic stimuli calmed kids down during dentist appointments by providing deep pressure.
Research on the Benefits of Weighted Products for Deep Pressure
Mullen, B., Champagne, T., Krishnamurty, S., Dickson, D., & Gao, R. X. (2008). Exploring the safety and therapeutic effects of deep pressure stimulation using a weighted blanket. Occupational Therapy in Mental Health, 24(1), 65-89.
* 33% showed reduced anxiety physically, looking at lowered skin conduction
* 63% self-reported a reduction in anxiety
* 78% said they felt more relaxed with the blanket than without
Gringras, P., Green, D., Wright, B., Rush, C., Sparrowhawk, M., Pratt, K., … & Wiggs, L. (2014). Weighted blankets and sleep in autistic children—a randomized controlled trial. Pediatrics, 134(2), 298-306.
* Overall, 55 parents said the weighted blankets improved sleep, vs. 27 in the control group)
* Children were calmer when they woke up