Volume 26, Issue 3 (Autumn-In Press 2025)
jrehab 2025, 26(3): 0-0 |
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Ethics code: IR.SBU.RETECH.REC.1402.859
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Khademi Kalantari S. The Impact of Architectural Modifications in Rehabilitation Environments on Sensory Integration in Children with ADHD. jrehab 2025; 26 (3)
URL: http://rehabilitationj.uswr.ac.ir/article-1-3639-en.html
URL: http://rehabilitationj.uswr.ac.ir/article-1-3639-en.html
Department of Architecture, Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran. , sasankhademi.c2w@gmail.com
Abstract: (417 Views)
Objectives: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders in children, often associated with sensory integration disorders. Despite the importance of the occupational therapy space in improving sensory processing, the effect of architectural features of therapeutic environments has been less studied. This study aimed to investigate the effect of architectural features in occupational therapy centers on improving sensory integration in children with ADHD.
Materials and Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted in two phases. First, twelve rehabilitation centers in Tehran and Karaj were evaluated using the Environmental Architecture Assessment Questionnaire and categorized into two groups: "desirable" and "undesirable." The sensory processing performance of 64 children with ADHD in these centers was assessed before and after 12 occupational therapy sessions using the Sensory Profile Version 2 questionnaire. Subsequently, modifications were made to the lighting, sound control, color schemes, and spatial arrangement in five of the "undesirable" centers based on the first-phase findings. Sensory processing improvements were re-evaluated after another 12 occupational therapy sessions. Changes in the total sensory profile score and sensory processing indices—including sensory seeking, sensory avoidance, sensory sensitivity, and poor registration—were compared between phases and against improvements in the "desirable" centers.
Findings: A significant improvement was observed in the total sensory profile scores in all centers. In the examination of sensory processing indices, in the desirable centers, all indices improved significantly, but in the undesirable centers, only sensory seeking and sensory avoidance indices showed significant changes. A between-group comparison revealed significant differences in total sensory integration scores between children treated in "desirable" versus "undesirable" centers (p < 0.01). Although modifications in the "undesirable" centers led to improvements in overall sensory processing, these changes were not statistically significant compared to the first-phase improvements in the same centers or the "desirable" centers (p = 0.06).
Conclusion: The architectural quality of rehabilitation environments significantly influences sensory integration outcomes in children with ADHD. These findings underscore the importance of incorporating sensory-responsive architectural elements in therapeutic space design to enhance treatment efficacy.
Materials and Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted in two phases. First, twelve rehabilitation centers in Tehran and Karaj were evaluated using the Environmental Architecture Assessment Questionnaire and categorized into two groups: "desirable" and "undesirable." The sensory processing performance of 64 children with ADHD in these centers was assessed before and after 12 occupational therapy sessions using the Sensory Profile Version 2 questionnaire. Subsequently, modifications were made to the lighting, sound control, color schemes, and spatial arrangement in five of the "undesirable" centers based on the first-phase findings. Sensory processing improvements were re-evaluated after another 12 occupational therapy sessions. Changes in the total sensory profile score and sensory processing indices—including sensory seeking, sensory avoidance, sensory sensitivity, and poor registration—were compared between phases and against improvements in the "desirable" centers.
Findings: A significant improvement was observed in the total sensory profile scores in all centers. In the examination of sensory processing indices, in the desirable centers, all indices improved significantly, but in the undesirable centers, only sensory seeking and sensory avoidance indices showed significant changes. A between-group comparison revealed significant differences in total sensory integration scores between children treated in "desirable" versus "undesirable" centers (p < 0.01). Although modifications in the "undesirable" centers led to improvements in overall sensory processing, these changes were not statistically significant compared to the first-phase improvements in the same centers or the "desirable" centers (p = 0.06).
Conclusion: The architectural quality of rehabilitation environments significantly influences sensory integration outcomes in children with ADHD. These findings underscore the importance of incorporating sensory-responsive architectural elements in therapeutic space design to enhance treatment efficacy.
Type of Study: Original |
Subject:
Occupational Therapy
Received: 25/05/2025 | Accepted: 13/08/2025 | Published: 23/09/2025
Received: 25/05/2025 | Accepted: 13/08/2025 | Published: 23/09/2025
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This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC-By-NC), which permits use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited and is not used for commercial purposes.
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