Intervention of AMSS Therapy for Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease
Sensory Integration
According to Dr. A. Jean Ayres (1972), Sensory Integration (SI) therapy is viewed as sensory stimulation that is a “sensory-motor treatment” (p.43) based upon philosophies developed over the last 30 years (Jacqueline, 2004). Proponents theorize that sensory integration is an innate neurobiological process (Hatch-Rasmussen, 1995). Fisher, Murray, and Bundy (1991) describe sensory integration as both “a neurological process, as well as a theory of the relationship between the neurological process and behavior” (p. 3).
According to Fisher, Murray and Bundy (1991), there are five major assumptions upon which SI theory is based. These are:
Sensory Integration (SI) therapy was first developed for autistic children with sensory dysfunction. However, there are many arguments and discussions on the validation of empirical data, reporter’s bias and failure, flaws of database methodology, and interpretation of the data (Jacqueline, 2004). Current research does not support Sensory Integration as an effective treatment for children with autism, developmental delays, or mental retardation (Jacqueline, 2004).
Not surprisingly, sensory stimulation sessions have been led by rehabilitation professionals to achieve fine motor/gross motor and adaptive daily living skills in patients. Carol Bowlby (2001), who is an occupational therapist from Halifax, Nova Scotia, described her occupational therapy sessions. She uses sensory stimulation applied in a sensory hierarchy – first smell, then kinesthetic / movement such as a motor activity, and then stimulation of the sense of touch, the sense of vision, then hearing, and finally the sense of taste (Bowlby, 2001). For example, she may employ an apple theme, by having her participants smell cinnamon, paint and sand apple-shaped trivets, and eat apple sauce (Trudeau, 1999). In her model, these senses are stimulated in this order for a reason. The sense of smell is a very primitive sense. The neuropath that goes from the olfactory nerve to the brain is fairly short and direct (Trudeau, 1999). Thus in SI theory, even patients with advanced dementia or even someone who is unconscious might still have access to that sensory pathway as a potential (Bowlby, 2001).
Sensory Integration
According to Dr. A. Jean Ayres (1972), Sensory Integration (SI) therapy is viewed as sensory stimulation that is a “sensory-motor treatment” (p.43) based upon philosophies developed over the last 30 years (Jacqueline, 2004). Proponents theorize that sensory integration is an innate neurobiological process (Hatch-Rasmussen, 1995). Fisher, Murray, and Bundy (1991) describe sensory integration as both “a neurological process, as well as a theory of the relationship between the neurological process and behavior” (p. 3).
According to Fisher, Murray and Bundy (1991), there are five major assumptions upon which SI theory is based. These are:
1. "… there is plasticity within the central nervous system. Plasticity refers to the ability of the brain structure to change or be modified…
2. … the sensory integrative process occurs in a developmental sequence. In normal development, increasingly complex behaviors develop as a result of the circular process, and behaviors present at each stage in the sequence provide, in turn, the basis for the development of more complex behaviors…
3. … the brain functions as an integrated whole, but is comprised of systems that are hierarchically organized..
4. … showing an adaptive behavior promotes sensory integration, and, in turn, the ability to produce an adaptive behavior reflects sensory integration…
5. … people have an inner drive to develop sensory integration through participation in sensory motor activities…" (p.15, 17).
2. … the sensory integrative process occurs in a developmental sequence. In normal development, increasingly complex behaviors develop as a result of the circular process, and behaviors present at each stage in the sequence provide, in turn, the basis for the development of more complex behaviors…
3. … the brain functions as an integrated whole, but is comprised of systems that are hierarchically organized..
4. … showing an adaptive behavior promotes sensory integration, and, in turn, the ability to produce an adaptive behavior reflects sensory integration…
5. … people have an inner drive to develop sensory integration through participation in sensory motor activities…" (p.15, 17).
Sensory Integration (SI) therapy was first developed for autistic children with sensory dysfunction. However, there are many arguments and discussions on the validation of empirical data, reporter’s bias and failure, flaws of database methodology, and interpretation of the data (Jacqueline, 2004). Current research does not support Sensory Integration as an effective treatment for children with autism, developmental delays, or mental retardation (Jacqueline, 2004).
However, Sensory Stimulation has been developed as a result of consideration of medical needs and is intended to promote awakening and engagement (Blue Cross Blue Shield Association Medical Policy Reference Manual, 2003).
Sensory Stimulation is like a spiritual hands-on practice. There is a level of investment among art therapists and a sense that therapists can make a difference in the quality of life of patients. That brings with it a level of optimism that may not be present in a lot of institutions that care for people with advanced dementia (Trudeau, 1999).Not surprisingly, sensory stimulation sessions have been led by rehabilitation professionals to achieve fine motor/gross motor and adaptive daily living skills in patients. Carol Bowlby (2001), who is an occupational therapist from Halifax, Nova Scotia, described her occupational therapy sessions. She uses sensory stimulation applied in a sensory hierarchy – first smell, then kinesthetic / movement such as a motor activity, and then stimulation of the sense of touch, the sense of vision, then hearing, and finally the sense of taste (Bowlby, 2001). For example, she may employ an apple theme, by having her participants smell cinnamon, paint and sand apple-shaped trivets, and eat apple sauce (Trudeau, 1999). In her model, these senses are stimulated in this order for a reason. The sense of smell is a very primitive sense. The neuropath that goes from the olfactory nerve to the brain is fairly short and direct (Trudeau, 1999). Thus in SI theory, even patients with advanced dementia or even someone who is unconscious might still have access to that sensory pathway as a potential (Bowlby, 2001).
