Sensory Processing in Children and Adolescents Shortly After the Onset of Anorexia Nervosa: A Pilot Study

Abstract BackgroundAlterations in sensory processing, such as vision, taste, and interoceptive sensation, have been reported in adult anorexia nervosa (AN). Whether these symptoms are traits, states, or “scars” due to starvation has not been fully established. Based on the hypothesis that alterations in sensory processing also occur in adolescent AN in the early stages of the disease, the present study was conducted using both self-administered and parent-administered sensory processing questionnaires.MethodsChildren and adolescents with anorexia nervosa treated at a single tertiary eating disorder treatment center in Japan (AN group) and female junior high school students attending a public junior high school in Saitama Prefecture, Japan (healthy control group: HC group) were included in the study. The Sensory Profile (SP) and Adult/Adolescent Sensory Profile (AASP) were administered to the participants and their caregivers. In addition, we collected demographic data and administered the Children's Eating Attitude Test and Autism-Spectrum Quotient Children's version.ResultsSeventeen children and adolescents were enrolled in the AN group, and 63 were enrolled in the HC group. There was no statistically significant difference between the AN and HC groups in the quadrant scores of the AASP. In the SP, the Sensory Avoidance score and the Emotional/Social response score were higher in the AN group than in the HC group.ConclusionsAlthough this study was conducted at only a single center in Japan, the results suggest that sensory processing characteristics may differ from trait symptoms. Longitudinal studies and larger-scale studies with patients in the early stages of the disease are needed.