INTEROCEPTION: SENSORY INTEGRATION-BASED INTERVENTION - POLI METHOD

Objective: The aim of this study is to describe the efficacy of the Poli Method in the treatment of interoceptive sensory processing, through evidence-based practice. Method: This is a qualitative, exploratory and prospective research, involving field research and experience reports. It consists of experience reports from five patients aged between 6 years and 10 months and 11 years, diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Restrictive and Avoidant Eating Disorder (RAED), Overactive Bladder, and Atopic Dermatitis, all with clinical evidence of interoceptive sensory processing dysfunction. The evaluation was performed in three stages: 1) definition of the items that compose the Sensory Profile 2 which refer to interoceptive sensory processing dysfunction; 2) identification of patients who have interoceptive sensory processing dysfunction based on the Sensory Profile 2, and 3) application of the Poli Method. The patients were followed up for 6 months to 1 year, depending on the case. Results: It was observed that the Poli Method, when applied in the treatment of the five evaluated patients, resulted in exceptional improvements regarding: a) identification of visceral needs such as hunger and thirst; b) development of communicative intention, contributing to orality; c) broadening of the food repertoire (awakening the taste buds); d) better crisis management (emotional outbursts); e) improvement of self-perception; f) improvement of self-control; g) improvement of body awareness; h) better personal, temporal and spatial organization; i) better management of emotions and emotional intelligence. Thus, the Poli Method proved to be an effective resource to be adopted in difficulties involving interoceptive sensory processing dysfunction. Conclusion: Evidence-based practice brings to light a powerful and undeniable vision of the efficacy of the Poli Method in improving the processing of interoceptive sensory stimuli, which can have input through the brain, viscera and emotions. There is a need for the development of multicenter research in order to determine a greater range of clinical cases and the scope of the Poli Method.