Data_Sheet_1_Wireless Measurement of Sympathetic Arousal During in vivo Occupational Therapy Sessions.pdf

PurposeOne goal of occupational therapists working with children who have sensory processing challenges is the regulation of arousal. Regulation strategies have not been evaluated using an empirical measure of physiological arousal.
ObjectiveTo establish the feasibility of using an objective physiologic measure of sympathetic arousal in therapeutic settings and explore the relation between therapeutic activities and sympathetic arousal. To evaluate changes in electrodermal activity (EDA) during occupational therapy sessions.
MethodsTwenty-two children identified with sensory modulation dysfunction (SMD) wore a wireless EDA sensor during 50 min occupational therapy sessions (n = 77 sessions).
ResultsAll children were able to wear the sensor on the lower calf without being distracted by the device. The five insights below are based on a comparison of EDA recordings in relation to therapists’ reflections describing how sympathetic arousal might correspond to therapeutic activities.
ConclusionObjective physiological assessment of a child’s sympathetic arousal during therapy is possible using a wireless EDA measurement system. Changes in EDA may correspond directly with therapeutic activities. The article provides a foundation for designing future therapeutic studies that include continuous measures of EDA.

研究目的：针对存在感觉加工困难的儿童开展工作的作业治疗师，其核心目标之一为实现唤醒（arousal）调节。目前尚未有研究采用生理唤醒的实证测量手段对各类调节策略进行评估。
研究目标：一是验证在治疗场景中采用客观生理测量手段评估交感唤醒（sympathetic arousal）的可行性，并探索治疗活动与交感唤醒之间的关联；二是评估作业治疗过程中皮肤电活动（electrodermal activity, EDA）的变化情况。
研究方法：本研究纳入22名经确诊为感觉调节障碍（sensory modulation dysfunction, SMD）的儿童，所有儿童在时长50分钟的作业治疗过程中（共77次治疗）佩戴无线皮肤电活动传感器。
研究结果：所有儿童均可将传感器佩戴于小腿下段，且未因设备产生分心行为。下述五项研究结论基于皮肤电活动记录与治疗师的反思内容的对比分析，治疗师的反思内容围绕交感唤醒与治疗活动的潜在对应关系展开。
研究结论：采用无线皮肤电活动测量系统，可在治疗过程中对儿童的交感唤醒进行客观生理评估。皮肤电活动的变化或可与治疗活动直接对应。本研究为后续纳入皮肤电活动连续测量指标的治疗类研究设计提供了研究基础。