| Abstract: |
Feeding difficulties and self-regulation problems are highly prevalent among premature infants, high-risk neonates, and young children with neurodevelopmental disorders. Sensory processing plays a critical role in feeding readiness, suck–swallow–breathe coordination, and the maintenance of a calm–alert behavioral state necessary for successful feeding. Occupational therapy and physiotherapy-led sensory-based interventions, including oral tactile stimulation, deep pressure, swaddling, kangaroo care, vestibular inputs, and multimodal sensory programs, are widely implemented in neonatal and pediatric rehabilitation settings. However, despite widespread clinical usage, the empirical evidence supporting these interventions remains scattered and heterogeneous. The present study undertakes a scoping review to systematically map available research on sensory-based interventions aimed at improving feeding performance and self-regulation in infants and young children. The review identifies dominant intervention categories, outcome indicators, effectiveness trends, and major research gaps. The findings demonstrate promising short-term benefits of sensory-based interventions on feeding efficiency, state regulation, and caregiver–infant interaction; however, methodological limitations, lack of longitudinal studies, and inconsistent outcome measures restrict definitive conclusions. This review highlights the urgent need for standardized protocols, robust randomized trials, and integration of neurophysiological markers in future research. |
