Experiences of participating in a group-based sensory modulation intervention for mental health service users

Abstract

Background

People with mental health issues often experience difficulties with sensory modulation affecting occupational engagement. Research conducted in inpatient units has shown positive effects of individual sensory modulation interventions, however, research on experiences of group-based interventions in outpatient units is limited. Hence, a group-based sensory modulation intervention was adapted and tested within Swedish mental health outpatient units.

Aim

To explore the experiences of participating in a group-based sensory modulation intervention for service users in mental health outpatient units.

Material and methods

This qualitative study involved interviews with 25 informants who had participated in the intervention. The interview data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.

Results

Synthesis of the interviews resulted in one overarching theme of ‘Embodied awareness facilitates improved coping and sense of self’ organised into four themes: (1) ‘Developing embodied awareness and strategies’, (2) ‘Taking control of everyday life’, (3) ‘Creating a stronger sense of self’, and (4) ‘From alienation to belonging’.

Conclusion and significance

The informants experienced the intervention to provide new embodied coping strategies that had previously been neglected. This understanding may enrich occupational therapy practice in new ways to support service users’ engagement in occupations.

Keywords:

• Mental illness
• group intervention
• occupational therapy
• coping
• recovery

Acknowledgements

Thanks to all the informants in this study for sharing their experiences and making this research possible. We would also like to thank the staff and managers of the Psychiatry, Habilitation and Aids in Region Skåne for their co-production.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The study was funded by the Swedish Research Council for Health, Working life and Welfare. Reg no.2020-00480.