Date Presented 04/03/2025
The survey study aims to investigate the associations among sleep, stress, and sensory processing among individuals diagnosed with sleep disorders. Specifically, it aims to understand the impact of sensory processing on quality of sleep and stress.
Primary Author and Speaker: Megan C. Chang
Additional Authors and Speakers: Monique Gibbs, Chloe Deleissegues, Adelle Enriquez, Julie Davis, Samantha Woo
DESIGN: Sleep significantly impacts occupational performance across a broad range of domains, with work and instrumental activities of daily living being the occupations most affected (Charest & Grandner, 2022), and previous studies have shown that sensory processing difficulties are related to sleep (Rajaei et al., 2020), but not specifically focus on individuals with sleep disorders. Thus, this survey study aimed to investigate the relationships between sleep quality, sensory processing patterns, and stress in adults aged 18–64 diagnosed with sleep disorders.
METHOD: Participants were recruited via convenience sampling methods. The survey link was posted on social media and shared with local sleep clinics. Eligible respondents completed a 20-minute anonymous survey that included the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (Buysse et al.,1989), the Adult Sensory Processing Scale (Blanche et al., 2014), and the Perceived Stress Scale (Cohen et al., 1983), along with a short demographic survey.
RESULTS: A total of 74 respondents completed the survey, with a completion rate of 60.5%. The average age is 45.8 ± 12.8 years, with 75% of respondents aged 36-64. The majority of them are White (66.7%). The reported sleep diagnoses included sleep apnea (21.3%), Insomnia (9.3%), OSA (13.3%). About 17.3% of them have multiple diagnoses, including narcolepsy, hypersomnia, restless leg syndrome, etc. The PSS mean score showed that these respondents experienced significantly higher stress levels than the norm. PSS is also significantly correlated with all sleep components, including sleep latency, duration, efficiency, and daytime dysfunction. Several sensory factors, such as over-responsive to vestibular, auditory, and visual, significantly correlate with the PSQI sleep components and the total score.
CONCLUSION: While a larger study is needed, results suggest that OTP may need to consider screening sensory processing components when treating those with sleep disorders.
References
Charest, J., & Grandner, M. A. (2020). Sleep and athletic performance. Sleep Medicine Clinics, 15(1), 41–57. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsmc.2019.11.005
Buysse, D. J., Reynolds, C. F., 3rd, Monk, T. H., Berman, S. R., & Kupfer, D. J. (1989). The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index: A new instrument for psychiatric practice and research. Psychiatry Research, 28(2), 193–213. https://doi.org/10.1016/0165-1781(89)90047-4
Chang, K. K. P., Wong, F. K. Y., Chan, K. L., Wong, F., Ho, H. C., Wong, M. S., Ho, Y. S., Yuen, J. W. M., Siu, J. Y., & Yang, L. (2020). The impact of the environment on the quality of life and the mediating effects of sleep and stress. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(22), 8529. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17228529
Blanche, E. I., Parham, D., Chang, M., & Mallinson, T. (2014). Development of an adult sensory processing scale (ASPS). The American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 68(5), 531–538.
