Sensory Processing and Autistic Traits: Mediation Effect of Frontal Alpha Asymmetry

A sensory processing approach can be used to intervene with behaviours in individuals with autistic symptoms. However, neural mechanisms linking sensory processing patterns and autistic features are less understood. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether frontal alpha asymmetry could m...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Deukgeun Yoon, Eun Young Kim
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2023-01-01
Series:Occupational Therapy International
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2023/5065120
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1850224313059246080
author Deukgeun Yoon
Eun Young Kim
author_facet Deukgeun Yoon
Eun Young Kim
author_sort Deukgeun Yoon
collection DOAJ
description A sensory processing approach can be used to intervene with behaviours in individuals with autistic symptoms. However, neural mechanisms linking sensory processing patterns and autistic features are less understood. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether frontal alpha asymmetry could mediate the relationship between atypical sensory processing and autistic traits. Seventy-three neurotypical young adults were included in this study. Resting-state brain activity was recorded using electroencephalography. After the recording, participants completed the Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile and the Autism-Spectrum Quotient. Frontal alpha asymmetry was calculated by subtracting left frontal alpha power from right frontal alpha power. Correlation analysis was performed to find which sensory processing patterns were related to frontal alpha asymmetry and autistic traits. Mediation analysis was then conducted with sensory avoiding patterns as an independent variable, autistic traits as a dependent variable, and frontal alpha asymmetry as a mediator. Interrelations between higher sensation avoiding patterns, greater right-sided cortical activity, and increased autistic traits were found. The sensation avoiding patterns affected autistic traits directly and indirectly through right-sided cortical activity. Findings of the current study demonstrate a mediating role of frontal alpha asymmetry in the relationship between sensation avoiding patterns and autistic traits in neurotypical adults. This study suggests that sensation avoiding patterns and withdrawal-related emotions, which are associated with right-sided cortical activity, need to be considered to improve autism symptoms.
format Article
id doaj-art-508b71c185d94e8e986f69dd40bbae99
institution OA Journals
issn 1557-0703
language English
publishDate 2023-01-01
publisher Wiley
record_format Article
series Occupational Therapy International
spelling doaj-art-508b71c185d94e8e986f69dd40bbae992025-08-20T02:05:40ZengWileyOccupational Therapy International1557-07032023-01-01202310.1155/2023/5065120Sensory Processing and Autistic Traits: Mediation Effect of Frontal Alpha AsymmetryDeukgeun Yoon0Eun Young Kim1Department of Occupational TherapyDepartment of Occupational TherapyA sensory processing approach can be used to intervene with behaviours in individuals with autistic symptoms. However, neural mechanisms linking sensory processing patterns and autistic features are less understood. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether frontal alpha asymmetry could mediate the relationship between atypical sensory processing and autistic traits. Seventy-three neurotypical young adults were included in this study. Resting-state brain activity was recorded using electroencephalography. After the recording, participants completed the Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile and the Autism-Spectrum Quotient. Frontal alpha asymmetry was calculated by subtracting left frontal alpha power from right frontal alpha power. Correlation analysis was performed to find which sensory processing patterns were related to frontal alpha asymmetry and autistic traits. Mediation analysis was then conducted with sensory avoiding patterns as an independent variable, autistic traits as a dependent variable, and frontal alpha asymmetry as a mediator. Interrelations between higher sensation avoiding patterns, greater right-sided cortical activity, and increased autistic traits were found. The sensation avoiding patterns affected autistic traits directly and indirectly through right-sided cortical activity. Findings of the current study demonstrate a mediating role of frontal alpha asymmetry in the relationship between sensation avoiding patterns and autistic traits in neurotypical adults. This study suggests that sensation avoiding patterns and withdrawal-related emotions, which are associated with right-sided cortical activity, need to be considered to improve autism symptoms.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2023/5065120
spellingShingle Deukgeun Yoon
Eun Young Kim
Sensory Processing and Autistic Traits: Mediation Effect of Frontal Alpha Asymmetry
Occupational Therapy International
title Sensory Processing and Autistic Traits: Mediation Effect of Frontal Alpha Asymmetry
title_full Sensory Processing and Autistic Traits: Mediation Effect of Frontal Alpha Asymmetry
title_fullStr Sensory Processing and Autistic Traits: Mediation Effect of Frontal Alpha Asymmetry
title_full_unstemmed Sensory Processing and Autistic Traits: Mediation Effect of Frontal Alpha Asymmetry
title_short Sensory Processing and Autistic Traits: Mediation Effect of Frontal Alpha Asymmetry
title_sort sensory processing and autistic traits mediation effect of frontal alpha asymmetry
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2023/5065120
work_keys_str_mv AT deukgeunyoon sensoryprocessingandautistictraitsmediationeffectoffrontalalphaasymmetry
AT eunyoungkim sensoryprocessingandautistictraitsmediationeffectoffrontalalphaasymmetry