The Stimulation of Polymodal Sensory Perception by Skarżyński (SPPS-S): comparison of stationary and remote therapy results

Abstract

Hearing is a sense, which has a significant impact on a child’s development. Disorders connected with hearing can have impact in a various form and affect each area of life. Hearing disorders may concern peripheral auditory system as well as its parts responsible for central processing. It is estimated that central auditory processing disorders in its isolated form concern 2-3% of the population of school-age children, however, the problem co-occurring with other disorders may affect even several dozen percents of children. According to the available recommendations, there are three main therapeutic approaches in the treatment of patients with auditory processing disorders: transforming the school environment, teaching the child strategies how to compensate his or her difficulties or using hearing trainings focused on a specific deficit. The main aim of the study is to present the results of SPPS-S therapy dedicated to patients with central auditory processing disorders who have completed the remote version of the method in comparison with patients performing therapy in a rehabilitation center. The Stimulation of Polymodal Sensory Perception by Skarżyński (original name in polish SPPS-S) is a treatment applicable for many different groups of disorders showing comorbidity with central auditory processing disorders. Solutions present in SPPS-S offer multifaceted therapy activating different perceptual modalities (hearing, vision and touch) at the same time, as well as their integration and coordination. Patient may receive the SPPS-S therapy either in the rehabilitation center or at home. The material used to assess the effectiveness of SPPS-S-based therapy included the results of 100 patients who received remote SPPS-S therapy compared to the results of 100 patients who performed therapy at a specialized center. Statistical analysis of the results obtained, which showed that the therapy used resulted in a statistically significant improvement in all auditory functions studied. Results confirm the high effectiveness of The Stimulation of Polymodal Sensory Perception by Skarżyński, both in stationary and remotely implemented form. The quality of telerehabilitation interventions was maintained at the same level as in therapeutic work at the therapeutic center, which was confirmed by the results of patients. Remote SPPS-S therapy as an effective telerehabilitation method has become an effective form of supporting patients in their own homes.