Feature
Sensory strategies to help reduce combat related symptoms
Nicola Tweed describes the effect a new sensory modulation service is having on the mental wellbeing of injured military personnel .
D
efence Medical Rehabilitation Centre ( DMRC ) Stanford Hall provides rehabilitation to wounded , sick and injured military personnel . As part of the rehabilitation process , the Psychological Wellbeing Service provides assessment and intervention to support personnel to achieve maximum potential from an emotional , psychological and cognitive point of view .
Occupational therapists within mental health rehabilitation have unique skills to consider sensory needs and provide sensory-based strategies for patients with sensory modulation difficulties ( RCOT 2021 ).
The patient population at DMRC commonly presented with emotional dysregulation following injury or illness , likely stemming from the inability to self-regulate through their usual means , such as physical activity .
The sensory modulation service for military personnel was set up in response to this gap in service , to enable management of arousal levels for optimal engagement in daily occupations contributing to the holistic rehabilitation offered at DMRC Stanford Hall .
Sensory modulation
Sensory modulation is ‘ a process originating in the central nervous system as the neurological ability to regulate and process sensory stimuli ; this subsequently offers the individual an opportunity to respond behaviourally to the stimulus ’ ( Brown , Tse and Fortune 2019 ).
Those with sensory difficulties may feel overwhelmed , isolated , disorganised , or have difficulties adapting to life challenges .
Evidence supports the use of sensory modulation for a range of mental and physical health conditions . A study of military serving personnel examined the use of sensory enhanced yoga following deployment , noticing the following effects : significantly reduced anxiety levels ; improved quality of life ; improved sleep ; a calming and relaxing effect ; and better anger management ( Stoller et al 2012 ).
Therefore , sensory approaches could be a proactive way to reduce combat related symptoms , inhibiting the autonomic nervous system , reducing hyperarousal , increasing self-regulation and as a preventative measure of occupational dysfunction .
Sensory rooms have been found to benefit patients in inpatient settings through reduction of restraints or seclusion , to reduce distress and arousal levels , offer an empowering , strengthsbased , person-centred approach and instil hope ( Barbic et al 2019 ).
This was supported by Sutton and Nicholson ( 2011 ), who found sensory rooms to be an effective tool in an inpatient unit and created a sense of safety , a soothing effect , supported expression , distracting from distressing thoughts , grounding and a sense of control .
The project
The aims of the sensory modulation service are to provide the following on a one-to-one basis : assessment of sensory preferences ; psychoeducation about sensory thresholds ; exploration of individual sensory strategies ; consideration of environmental modification ; application to activities of daily living ; implementation into daily routine ; and experiential use of a sensory room .
Some of the uses of sensory modulation include for :
• Difficulties relaxing and / or sleeping .
• Increased anxiety and / or arousal levels .
• Sense of overwhelm .
• Need for grounding techniques .
• Conflict within the family home .
• Loss of meaningful occupation that provided much sensory input .
• Hypervigilance .
• Irritability and anger .
• Difficulties with vivid dreams .
• Experiencing distress .
20 OTnews April 2023