An overview & critical review of the Sensory Profile – second edition

Abstract

Background

The Sensory Profile-2 (SP-2) is the recently revised set of scales that provide information about a child’s responses to different types of sensory stimuli.

Aim

To examine the methodological quality and psychometric properties of the SP-2 using the Consensus-based Standards for the Selection of Health Measurement Instruments (COSMIN) and Quality Criteria for Health Status Questionnaires (QCHSQ).

Materials and Methods

The methodological quality and psychometric properties for each of the SP-2 scales were examined by two assessors using the COSMIN and QCHSQ.

Results

The COSMIN revealed that the SP-2 demonstrated strengths in patient-related outcome measure design and internal consistency. However, hypothesis testing, cross-cultural validity and structural validity (construct validity) were notable shortcomings. The QCHSQ indicated the SP-2 has merits in its content validity and construct validity. The SP-2 manual reported insufficient evidence of its responsiveness, interpretability and criterion validity.

Conclusion

Informed assessment selection is fundamental for evidence-based and quality occupational therapy practice provision. Overall, the SP-2 is considered to have adequate psychometric properties, however users should be mindful of the identified shortcomings.

Significance

The review and critique of the SP-2 adds to the body of knowledge about the revised instrument and provides an objective perspective about its strengths and weaknesses.

Keywords:

• Sensation
• sensory processing
• occupational therapy
• COSMIN
• QCHSQ
• psychometrics
• reliability
• validity
• children
• review

Correction Statement

This article has been corrected with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.

Acknowledgement

This research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

Disclosure statement

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

Author contributions

Ms. Lisa Licciardi and Professor Ted Brown made equal contributions to reviewing the Sensory Profile − 2, analyzing the material and drafting the manuscript. Both contributing authors approved the final submitted manuscript.