Accessing the Unspoken: A Systematic Review on the Use of Psychophysiology in Research on Persons with Severe or Profound Intellectual Disabilities
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| Title: | Accessing the Unspoken: A Systematic Review on the Use of Psychophysiology in Research on Persons with Severe or Profound Intellectual Disabilities |
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| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Sien Vandesande (ORCID |
| Source: | Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities. 2026 39(2). |
| Availability: | Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www.wiley.com/en-us |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 32 |
| Publication Date: | 2026 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Information Analyses |
| Descriptors: | Literature Reviews, Intellectual Disability, Severity (of Disability), Psychophysiology, Biofeedback, Research Methodology, Evaluation Methods, Emotional Experience, Meta Analysis, Emotional Response, Affective Behavior, Eye Movements, Brain |
| DOI: | 10.1111/jar.70222 |
| ISSN: | 1360-2322 1468-3148 |
| Abstract: | Background: Accessing the emotional experiences of individuals with severe or profound intellectual disabilities is difficult. Physiological measures offer a promising way to bypass communicative, cognitive, and motor limitations in this population. Yet this emerging field lacks a comprehensive overview of methods used, variables studied, and potential values and pitfalls. Method: A multidatabase systematic review (2008-2025), pre-registered in PROSPERO (ID: CRD42024629708), was conducted following JBI and PRISMA guidelines. From 5495 records, studies were screened at title, abstract, and full-text levels, assessed with MMAT, and synthesized narratively. Results: Thirty-four studies met criteria, using methods such as eye-tracking, wearable sensors, infrared thermography, and electroencephalography to examine attention, social-emotional processing/engagement, and emotional responses. Conclusions: This review provides the first broad synthesis of psychophysiological research in this specific population, outlining methodological and practical considerations and supporting future physiological research aimed at enhancing person-centred care and quality of life. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2026 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1503977 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | Background: Accessing the emotional experiences of individuals with severe or profound intellectual disabilities is difficult. Physiological measures offer a promising way to bypass communicative, cognitive, and motor limitations in this population. Yet this emerging field lacks a comprehensive overview of methods used, variables studied, and potential values and pitfalls. Method: A multidatabase systematic review (2008-2025), pre-registered in PROSPERO (ID: CRD42024629708), was conducted following JBI and PRISMA guidelines. From 5495 records, studies were screened at title, abstract, and full-text levels, assessed with MMAT, and synthesized narratively. Results: Thirty-four studies met criteria, using methods such as eye-tracking, wearable sensors, infrared thermography, and electroencephalography to examine attention, social-emotional processing/engagement, and emotional responses. Conclusions: This review provides the first broad synthesis of psychophysiological research in this specific population, outlining methodological and practical considerations and supporting future physiological research aimed at enhancing person-centred care and quality of life. |
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| ISSN: | 1360-2322 1468-3148 |
| DOI: | 10.1111/jar.70222 |
