The relationship between sensory processing patterns and sleep quality in healthy adults

Background: Sleep quality affects a person's performance and quality of life. Poor sleep was recently associated with hyperarousability and difficulties in processing sensory input. Purpose: To examine the relationships between sensory-processing difficulties (SPD) and sleep quality in healthy adults. Methods: The 185 participants, aged 21 to 60 (mean 33.64 ± 8.69), completed the Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile (AASP) and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Findings: Sleep quality significantly correlated with sensory-processing patterns characterized by hypersensitivity. These patterns were manifested in specific modalities (tactile, visual, and auditory), which significantly predicted sleep quality. Implications: Sleep quality may be related to predisposing, sensory-processing patterns, particularly to hypersensitivity. Occupational therapists should refer to the possible relationship between SPD and sleep quality when treating individuals with SPD or poor sleepers. This may assist in implementing the optimal intervention based on the person's specific needs and contribute to performance and quality of life.