Electrodermal Patterns of Arousal in Children

Electrodermal Patterns of Arousal in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder

The purpose of this study was to explore the feasibility of detecting physiological patterns of arousal to sensory inputs in children with and without Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Accordingly, two questions directed this methodological research investigation: (1) Is there a relationship between rest (tonic) and response (phasic) patterns of arousal among typically developing children and children with ASD?, and (2) Is there a difference in EDA response to sensation between typically developing children and children with ASD?

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Sensory Challenge Protocol

Detailed Description

This methodological research design is a prospective exploratory test-retest design assessing the relationship between tonic and phasic Electrodermal Activity (EDA) variables. EDA during rest and in response to a variety of sensations was measured using skin conductance. Descriptive statistics summarized EDA dependent variable data using skin conductance response (SCR) magnitude, SCR amplitude, skin conductance level (SCL), non-specific response (NSR) and habituation (HAB). The data was used to assess the relationship between tonic and phasic patterns of arousal and compare response patterns between groups using the Sensory Challenge Protocol (SCP) in children with ASD and typically developing children (TD).

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Actual): 32

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 4 years to 11 years (Child)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No
• Genders Eligible for Study: Male

• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

A convenience sample of boys between the ages of 4 - 11 years with and without a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder were recruited from private and public New Jersey Schools, Barpak Occupational Therapy clinic, Bergenfield, New Jersey and Seton Hall University campus.

Description

Inclusion Criteria: Boys ages 4 - 11 years old.

• Able to sit for 30 minutes and follow simple directions.
• Children with confirmed Autism Spectrum Disorder via School records or parent report.
• Typically developing children free of medical or neurological conditions.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Medical or neurological conditions other than Autism.
• Hearing loss or visual impairments.
• Children taking medications known to affect arousal.
• Children who are not able to follow simple commands.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Observational Models: Case-Control
• Time Perspectives: Prospective

Number of groups / cohorts

2

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort	Intervention / Treatment
Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder; Boys between the age of 4 to 11 years old with Autism Spectrum disorder will participate in the Sensory Challenge Protocol which will measure electrodermal activity in response to sensation	Other: Sensory Challenge Protocol; Measurement of electrodermal activity in response to sensation
Typically Developing Children; Typically developing boys between the age of 4 to 11 years will participate in the Sensory Challenge Protocol which will measure electrodermal activity in response to sensation.	Other: Sensory Challenge Protocol; Measurement of electrodermal activity in response to sensation

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Time Frame
Electrodermal Activity in response to sensation: tonic and phasic skin conductance in MicroSiemens	Within six weeks

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Barpak Geriatric Health Services, Inc. d/b/a Barpak Occupational Therapy

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• LACEY JI, LACEY BC. The relationship of resting autonomic activity to motor impulsivity. Res Publ Assoc Res Nerv Ment Dis. 1958;36:144-209. No abstract available.
• MUNDY-CASTLE AC, MCKIEVER BL. The psychophysiological significance of the galvanic skin response. J Exp Psychol. 1953 Jul;46(1):15-24. doi: 10.1037/h0060100. No abstract available.
• Schell AM, Dawson ME, Filion DL. Psychophysiological correlates of electrodermal lability. Psychophysiology. 1988 Nov;25(6):619-32. doi: 10.1111/j.1469-8986.1988.tb01899.x. No abstract available.
• Schoen SA, Miller LJ, Brett-Green BA, Nielsen DM. Physiological and behavioral differences in sensory processing: a comparison of children with autism spectrum disorder and sensory modulation disorder. Front Integr Neurosci. 2009 Nov 3;3:29. doi: 10.3389/neuro.07.029.2009. eCollection 2009.
• Vetrugno R, Liguori R, Cortelli P, Montagna P. Sympathetic skin response: basic mechanisms and clinical applications. Clin Auton Res. 2003 Aug;13(4):256-70. doi: 10.1007/s10286-003-0107-5.

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start: January 1, 2013
• Primary Completion (Actual): April 1, 2014
• Study Completion (Actual): May 1, 2014

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: June 20, 2016
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: June 27, 2016
• First Posted (Estimate): June 29, 2016

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Estimate): June 29, 2016
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: June 27, 2016
• Last Verified: June 1, 2016

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Mental Disorders; Neurodevelopmental Disorders; Child Development Disorders, Pervasive; Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Other Study ID Numbers: Barpak-02-EDA

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: No