Date
Spring 2018
Document Type
Poster Session
Department
Occupational Therapy
Advisor
Susan Noyes PhD, OTR/L
Keywords
schizophrenia, sensory processing deficits, University of Southern Maine, Thinking Matters Symposium
Abstract
This evidence-based study investigated the relationship between sensory processing deficits and schizophrenia. A literature search of 7 databases using 9 search terms resulted in 10 high quality articles which best shape and illustrate the current information regarding the link between sensory processing and schizophrenia. Themes therein included atypical sensory processing, sensory gating deficits, auditory processing deficits, visual processing deficits, and smoking. It was found that people with schizophrenia process sensory information differently than neurotypical people, demonstrating deficits in the ability to filter out sensory stimuli. These deficits were correlated with a range of functional impacts, including decreased social participation. Surprisingly, our findings suggest that the smoking behaviors commonly observed in this population may actually provide strong psychophysiological benefits by significantly mitigating these sensory gating deficits in persons with schizophrenia. By furthering our understanding of this relationship, this study establishes a groundwork for further research into the use of sensory strategies and interventions to support the social participation and well-being of people with schizophrenia.
Start Date
4-20-2018 9:00 AM
Recommended Citation
Carlson, Jenna and Jungwirth, Nandikesha, "What is the Relationship Between Sensory Processing Deficits and Schizophrenia?" (2018). Thinking Matters Symposium Archive. 126.
https://digitalcommons.usm.maine.edu/thinking_matters/126
