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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
Language: English
Authors: Sien Vandesande (ORCID 0000-0003-4896-4370), Ömer Faruk Gönen, Emma Vanroye, Peter Zentel
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
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  Data: 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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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Sien+Vandesande%22">Sien Vandesande</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4896-4370">0000-0003-4896-4370</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Ömer+Faruk+Gönen%22">Ömer Faruk Gönen</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Emma+Vanroye%22">Emma Vanroye</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Peter+Zentel%22">Peter Zentel</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Journal+of+Applied+Research+in+Intellectual+Disabilities%22"><i>Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities</i></searchLink>. 2026 39(2).
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  Data: 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
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  Data: 10.1111/jar.70222
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– Name: Abstract
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  Data: 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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      – SubjectFull: Intellectual Disability
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      – SubjectFull: Severity (of Disability)
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      – SubjectFull: Meta Analysis
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      – SubjectFull: Emotional Response
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