SPD-SWG Participants

Lane, Shelly J., PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA

Title: Professor and Chair
Department: Department of Occupational Therapy
Institution: Virginia Commonwealth University
Mailing Address: PO Box 980008, Richmond, VA 23298-0008
Phone: (804) 828-2219
Website: www.vcu.edu

Research Interests

Dr. Lane's research concerns outcomes of children at risk for developmental problems, particularly Sensory Processing Disorder.

SPD Research Summary

Drs. Lane and Reynolds are studying stress and anxiety in children with Sensory Over-Responsivity (SOR) and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Sensory Modulation Dysfunction (SMD) is characterized by an inability to consistently and accurately grade responses to sensory information. SMD, and specifically sensory over-responsivity (SOR), has been correlated with stress and anxiety in some developmentally delayed populations and has been associated with structures and functions of the hypothalamic-pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis. Recent attention has been given to HPA functioning in children with Attention- Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), with a majority of studies identifying blunted or diminished cortisol patterns. In contrast, elevated cortisol has been associated with anxiety and anxious behaviors in both animal and human studies. Drs. Lane and Reynolds are researching whether SOR is a contributing factor in determining stress reactivity patterns in children with ADHD or related to elevated levels of anxiety in children with ADHD with and without SOR. Two pre- challenge and seven post-challenge measures of salivary cortisol were taken. Cardiac and electrodermal response data were also collected.

To date, no baseline differences in salivary cortisol were found between groups. In response to a sensory challenge, there was a borderline significant difference found between the ADHD with and without SOR and a significant difference between ADHD and the typical group, with cortisol levels being significantly lower in the ADHD group. Scores for total anxiety indicated that the ADHD SOR group was significantly more anxious than both the ADHD without SOR and control group. These findings suggest that SOR may alter the stress response seen in children with ADHD and contribute to increased anxiety in this population.

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