Sensory Overload: ADHD and Atypical Sensory Processing Go Hand-in-Hand

Overview

Paper Summary › Explain Like I'm Five › Conflicts of Interest › Identified Limitations › Rating Explanation › Good to know › Topic Hierarchy › File Information ›

Paper Summary

Paperzilla title

This systematic review and meta-analysis of 30 studies found that individuals with ADHD experience significantly more atypical sensory processing patterns compared to controls, particularly in sensory sensitivity, seeking, avoiding, and low registration. Children and adults with ADHD also demonstrated increased difficulties in tactile, visual, auditory, oral, and movement sensory processing.

Explain Like I'm Five

Scientists found that kids with ADHD often feel things differently than other kids. Things like sounds, touches, and sights can feel too much, not enough, or just different for them.

Possible Conflicts of Interest

Lucie Jurek received a research mobility grant from the Planiol Foundation, but the foundation was not involved in the work. Pierre Fourneret received honoraria from HAC Pharma. Samuele Cortese receives funding from NIHR and other grants, and has received travel reimbursements and honoraria from various organizations for lectures on ADHD.

Identified Limitations

High heterogeneity

High heterogeneity in meta-analyses limits the reliability of the findings.

Limited generalizability

Lack of information on ethnicity in many studies limits generalizability of the findings.

Small sample sizes

Many studies had small sample sizes and did not define these a priori, which weakens their statistical power.

Potential publication bias

Some meta-analyses indicated possible publication bias, which may inflate the effect sizes.

Lack of information on medication and comorbidities

Lack of information on medication and comorbidities in some studies makes it difficult to control for confounding factors.

Rating Explanation

This meta-analysis provides valuable insights into the relationship between ADHD and atypical sensory processing patterns, which can inform clinical practice. However, the high heterogeneity in some analyses and potential publication bias slightly lower the rating.

Good to know

This is the Starter analysis. Paperzilla Pro fact-checks every citation, researches author backgrounds and funding sources, and uses advanced AI reasoning for more thorough insights.

Explore Pro →

Topic Hierarchy

Domain: Health Sciences

Field: Medicine

Subfield: Psychiatry and Mental health

File Information

Original Title: Sensory Processing in Individuals With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Compared With Control Populations: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Uploaded: July 31, 2025 at 10:51 AM

Privacy: Public