THE SENSORY DIET. Domenico Pratico', MD, FCPP
- praticolabalzheime
- 19 hours ago
- 3 min read
The human brain is the master regulator in charge of receiving, interpreting, and responding to various sensory inputs from the environment. However, disturbances of this process have an effect on general brain health and can manifest as hyper-sensitivity, or hypo-sensitivity thereby impinging upon an individual's capacity to function optimally in daily life.
The “sensory diet” is not food but a program of structured activities involving our senses and to be performed regularly, which in recent years has garnered attention for its potential to resolve, or at least ameliorate, these issues of sensory dysfunction affecting brain health.
This type of diet which aims at optimizing sensory processing mechanisms in individuals with sensory dysfunction, encompasses a diverse range of sensory modalities, including tactile, auditory, and visual stimuli.
Interestingly, the process of aging is also characterized among other things by alterations in sensory perception which result in sensory dysfunction.
Indeed in the context of aging, visual perception undergoes changes that contribute to a shift in the way individuals interact with and perceive their surroundings. For instance, diminished visual acuity reduces the ability to see fine details and sharpness in vision, which can make tasks like reading, recognizing small objects more challenging. Compromised depth perception, another facet of aging, involves difficulties in accurately perceiving distances and spatial relationships.
In Alzheimer's disease, the brain faces serious challenges in adapting and forming new connections, a process known as neuroplasticity, which is important for normal sensory activities, and as result the individual often experiences sensory dysfunction.
Research in the field is developing targeted sensory diet interventions which aim at mitigating the impact of both age-related and dementia-related sensory decline and dysfunction in patients with Alzheimer’s disease or other froms of dementia.
A sensory diet is a tailored, daily routine of activities designed to stimulate a person’s senses (touch, sight, sound, smell, taste) to reduce agitation, improve mood, and enhance engagement.
The incorporation of sensory diets into classical pharmacologic dementia management offers a range of additional benefit primarily centered around their ability to mitigate the emotional distress and behavioral symptoms often associated with the condition.
A sensory diet tailored to the specific needs and preferences of each individual with demetia can provide a structured and engaging routine that fosters emotional well-being and physical health. It is always important to choose activities that are enjoyable and tailored to their abilities and unique interests, or based on previous lifestyle, recreational activities, social interests or work history of our loved ones.
Here are some examples of sensory stimulation for dementia:
Sitting outside together, allowing them to enjoy the sounds and sensations of nature.
Brushing their hair or giving them a head massage.
Looking through an old photo album together.
Giving them a textured or interactive object to fiddle with.
In recent years, the convergence of sensory diets with technology has also ushered in innovative solutions to support individuals in managing sensory dysfunction. One of the most notable developments is the proliferation of various sensory apps.
These apps cater to individuals with sensory processing difficulties, offering a plethora of activities designed to provide optimal sensory input. From soothing sounds that promote relaxation, to visually stimulating graphics that encourage focus and engagement, these apps serve as valuable tools for individuals seeking to regulate their sensory experiences and improve their daily life activities.
At the end of the day, what matters is that you choose an activity that provides your loved one with comfort, joy, and meaning.
For more information on sensory diet, please read our recent article:
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Check out my recent blog: The 4 Cardinal Points of Behavior Domenico Pratico', MD, FCPP
Domenico Praticò, MD, holds the Scott Richards North Star Charitable Foundation Chair for Alzheimer’s Research and serves as a Professor at the Alzheimer’s Center at Temple, as well as a Professor of Neural Sciences at Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University.
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Stay updated with the work happening at Dr. Domenico Pratico's lab by visiting the Pratico Lab website.