SENSORY Study

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  Ethnography of Sensory Disturbances in Eating Disorders and Autism

• IRAS ID

  328648

• Contact name

  Dimitri Chubinidze

• Contact email

  dimitri.chubinidze@kcl.ac.uk

• Sponsor organisation

  King's College London

• Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier

  DOI 10.17605/OSF.IO/SB9U3, OSF Registration DOI

• Duration of Study in the UK

  0 years, 7 months, days

• Research summary

  BACKGROUND:
  Eating Disorders (EDs) significantly impact many lives, with the UK reporting up to 725,000 cases, leading to considerable economic costs. Approximately 30% of individuals with EDs also exhibit autism traits, complicating treatment outcomes and increasing costs. These individuals often report sensory disturbances, underscoring the need for innovative solutions to address these sensory challenges (Adamson et al., 2020; Tchanturia, 2021; Tchanturia, 2022a).

  The PEACE – Autism-friendly pathway for ED has improved this area by adjusting the sensory environment and offering awareness-raising workshops. However, there remain gaps in understanding complex cases and the need for personalized, technology-based solutions.

  AIMS:
  This study aims to bridge the gap between the needs of individuals with comorbid EDs and autism and the development of personalized treatment by documenting sensory disturbances and identifying potential area for technological interventions.

  SETTING:
  The fieldwork will take place at ED services at South London & Maudsley NHS Trust (SLaM), and data analysis at King’s College London, Department of Psychological Medicine.

  APPROACH:
  We will employ a sensory ethnographic approach to doccument sensory disturbances and inform the development of tailored treatment and mental health technologies. This involves observing and interviewing participants in clinical settings, capturing firsthand accounts of how sensory disturbances affect daily lives during ED ward admission. This 7 month-long study at SLaM will include 40 individuals with both an ED and autism diagnosis, alongside participating ED service staff. We'll analyze data from observations and interviews using reflexive thematic analysis.

• REC name

  London - Bromley Research Ethics Committee

• REC reference

  23/LO/0698

• Date of REC Opinion

  14 Sep 2023

• REC opinion

  Further Information Favourable Opinion