Relationship between Sensory Processing Disorder and Quality of Sleep in Rehabilitation Students of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences and Iran University of Medical Sciences in 2019

Sensory problems can affect the functioning of individuals in a variety of daily activities in different aspects. One of these aspects of daily activity is the quality and quantity of sleep. Sensory processing is perhaps the most basic psychological element that determines how individuals perceive and respond to environmental stimuli. Given this, the present study aimed to investigate the effect of sensory processing disorder on students' sleep quality.

The current descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 184 students of the School of Rehabilitation at Shahid Beheshti and Iran Universities of Medical Sciences. Two Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Questionnaires and Adolescent-Adult Sensory profile were used for data collection. Data were analyzed using SPSS 18.

The results of data analysis showed that 49.1% of the students had undesirable sleep quality and most of the students had sensory processing disorder of sensory seeking type. The results showed a significant relationship between sleep quality and the three variables of low registering, sensory sensitivity, and sensory avoidance (P-values: 0/017, 0/003, 0/02, respectively).

The findings of the present study emphasized that students with poor sleep quality had sensory processing disorder and their sleep quality reduced. Also, there was a significant relationship between low registering, sensory sensitivity, and sensory avoidance with sleep quality. Therefore, it seems necessary to support students in considering proper sensory diet and taking measures to resolve their sensory problems and thus improve their sleep patterns.