Electrodermal response to olfactory stimuli in children with autism spectrum disorder: a systematic review of emotional and cognitive regulation

IntroductionThe study of electrodermal activity (EDA) in individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is gaining scientific interest as a potential source of physiological biomarkers that can objectively improve the diagnosis of this condition. Despite significant research into responses to visua...

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Main Authors: David Pérez-Jorge, Elena Olmos-Raya, Isabel Alonso-Rodríguez, Itahisa Pérez-Pérez
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-04-01
Series:Frontiers in Education
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/feduc.2025.1485252/full
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author David Pérez-Jorge
Elena Olmos-Raya
Isabel Alonso-Rodríguez
Itahisa Pérez-Pérez
author_facet David Pérez-Jorge
Elena Olmos-Raya
Isabel Alonso-Rodríguez
Itahisa Pérez-Pérez
author_sort David Pérez-Jorge
collection DOAJ
description IntroductionThe study of electrodermal activity (EDA) in individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is gaining scientific interest as a potential source of physiological biomarkers that can objectively improve the diagnosis of this condition. Despite significant research into responses to visual and auditory stimuli, the response to olfactory stimuli has not been extensively explored.MethodsThis research involved a systematic literature review of studies on EDA responses to olfactory stimuli in ASD populations, published between 2000 and 2024. The review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines to ensure a rigorous and transparent methodology. From the selected scientific databases, such as Scopus and Web of Science, 20 publications met the inclusion and exclusion criteria for detailed analysis.ResultsThe analysis revealed that individuals with ASD display distinct electrodermal patterns compared to the typically developing population, especially in response to intense and emotionally evocative odors, which elicited the highest electrodermal reactivity.DiscussionThe pronounced electrodermal response to specific odors suggests that EDA could serve as a reliable physiological measure for predicting emotional states in individuals with ASD. This capability provides educators with valuable insights, allowing them to tailor educational strategies to the unique emotional needs of each moment, thereby optimizing the teaching and learning process.
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spelling doaj-art-d6f7abdc804f42ca919f5a48aefe13af2025-08-20T03:04:23ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Education2504-284X2025-04-011010.3389/feduc.2025.14852521485252Electrodermal response to olfactory stimuli in children with autism spectrum disorder: a systematic review of emotional and cognitive regulationDavid Pérez-Jorge0Elena Olmos-Raya1Isabel Alonso-Rodríguez2Itahisa Pérez-Pérez3Department of Didactics and Educational Research, DISAE Research Group, University of La Laguna, San Cristóbal de La Laguna, SpainDepartment of Didactics and Educational Research, DISAE Research Group, University of La Laguna, San Cristóbal de La Laguna, SpainDepartment of Didactics and Educational Research, DISAE Research Group, University of La Laguna, San Cristóbal de La Laguna, SpainDepartment of History and Philosophy of Science, Education, and Language, DISAE Research Group, University of La Laguna, San Cristóbal de La Laguna, SpainIntroductionThe study of electrodermal activity (EDA) in individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is gaining scientific interest as a potential source of physiological biomarkers that can objectively improve the diagnosis of this condition. Despite significant research into responses to visual and auditory stimuli, the response to olfactory stimuli has not been extensively explored.MethodsThis research involved a systematic literature review of studies on EDA responses to olfactory stimuli in ASD populations, published between 2000 and 2024. The review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines to ensure a rigorous and transparent methodology. From the selected scientific databases, such as Scopus and Web of Science, 20 publications met the inclusion and exclusion criteria for detailed analysis.ResultsThe analysis revealed that individuals with ASD display distinct electrodermal patterns compared to the typically developing population, especially in response to intense and emotionally evocative odors, which elicited the highest electrodermal reactivity.DiscussionThe pronounced electrodermal response to specific odors suggests that EDA could serve as a reliable physiological measure for predicting emotional states in individuals with ASD. This capability provides educators with valuable insights, allowing them to tailor educational strategies to the unique emotional needs of each moment, thereby optimizing the teaching and learning process.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/feduc.2025.1485252/fullelectrodermal activityautism spectrum disordersensory processingsympathetic nervous systemgalvanic skin responselearning processes
spellingShingle David Pérez-Jorge
Elena Olmos-Raya
Isabel Alonso-Rodríguez
Itahisa Pérez-Pérez
Electrodermal response to olfactory stimuli in children with autism spectrum disorder: a systematic review of emotional and cognitive regulation
Frontiers in Education
electrodermal activity
autism spectrum disorder
sensory processing
sympathetic nervous system
galvanic skin response
learning processes
title Electrodermal response to olfactory stimuli in children with autism spectrum disorder: a systematic review of emotional and cognitive regulation
title_full Electrodermal response to olfactory stimuli in children with autism spectrum disorder: a systematic review of emotional and cognitive regulation
title_fullStr Electrodermal response to olfactory stimuli in children with autism spectrum disorder: a systematic review of emotional and cognitive regulation
title_full_unstemmed Electrodermal response to olfactory stimuli in children with autism spectrum disorder: a systematic review of emotional and cognitive regulation
title_short Electrodermal response to olfactory stimuli in children with autism spectrum disorder: a systematic review of emotional and cognitive regulation
title_sort electrodermal response to olfactory stimuli in children with autism spectrum disorder a systematic review of emotional and cognitive regulation
topic electrodermal activity
autism spectrum disorder
sensory processing
sympathetic nervous system
galvanic skin response
learning processes
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/feduc.2025.1485252/full
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