An introduction
to sensory integration
Motor and psychological unrest, concentration difficulties and sleep disturbances –the symptoms are numerous. The explanation may be difficulties in sorting andprocessing sensory impressions from the environment and own body.
Through structured use of sensory stimulation, many people will be able to improvetheir ability to participate in everyday activities and experience improved well-being.

Sensory
stimulation fromweight and pressure
from balls

ADHD,
Anxiety, Anorexia,
Autism, Dementia,
Depression, Brain damage,
Neurology, Psychiatry,Sclerosis, Pain, Stress,Sleep disturbanceEvery day we are exposed to input through our senses. The abilityof the brain to process, filter and sort sensory inputs is known as
sensory integration. The brain interprets all these various inputs,
and it must know how and in what sequence it has to react tothem. Does the noise of others need to be blocked out so you
can focus on your task at hand? Should the feeling of an itchy
shirt demand more or less attention than the conversation you
are having? This interpretation takes place unconsciously and isdependent on the individual, so even if we as human beings are

exposed to the same exact sensory inputs over the course of a day,our brains will not necessarily interpret them the same way. Thismay be the reason why some people thrive in a noisy world, whileothers develop stress and anxiety. When the brain is overloaded,
it can be difficult to find the necessary calmness and security.
Several research projects show that the use of structured sensory
integration can help the brain to process, filter and sort – andthereby reduce stress levels and increase well-being.

Normaly, we say that we can see, hear, feel, smell and taste, but
we actually have seven senses through which we interpret theworld. The seven senses are broken down into near and remotesenses. The remote senses are the four senses that inform thebrain of the environment in which we find ourselves: vision,hearing, smell and taste. The near senses include vestibular,tactile and proprioception, which jointly form our body image.
While most people are aware of the difficulties associated with
an impaired sense of hearing, for example, fewer understandhow disturbances in the near senses are experienced. Sensory
disturbances of the near senses may be a very serious and debilitating experience, and ensuring that these senses are neither
over- nor under-stimulated is a top priority at all times. One
well-known example may be that you will instantly lose focus
if a fly lands on your skin, and you can only concentrate again
once the fly is brushed away. This is due to an over-stimulationof your sense of touch, which you will act on automatically.

It may be more difficult to understand how under-stimulation of the proprioception is experienced. The proprioception
informs the brain of activity in muscles and joints, which work
cooperatively and dependently on our nervous system. We
intuitively use the proprioception to create a sense of calm. If
you are restless, you may get the urge to tap your foot or go fora walk. People with sensory disturbances such as ADHD, autism,dementia and psychiatric disorders may have even more difficulty sitting still for extended periods because their proprioceptionbecomes under-stimulated more quickly, and they will therefore
naturally seek movement. The brain does not, however, register
the difference of whether the proprioception is actively stimulated through movement or passively, such as through massage,
joint compression or a sensory stimulating tool that createsweight in the joints and deep pressure in the muscles.

Behaviour
Learning
Performance of everyday activities

Gross motor function

Concentration

Proprioception

Motor planning

Smell

TactileVisionHearing

Proprioception

Taste

Vestibular

Humans possess a lot of skills that can only come into play when the seven senses are neither under- norover-stimulated. This can be compared to building a house. The roof structure consists of complex skills
such as social skills, learning and self-care. But the ability to use such complex abilities requires a solidfoundation. We lay this foundation primarily by ensuring the appropriate stimulation of our vestibular,
tactile and proprioceptive senses. Only when this foundation is created can we work further with the roof
construction, thereby bringing more complex abilities into play.

Structured sensory stimulation of proprioception
has a coordinating and calming effect, and is ourfoundation for successful sensory integrationof all the senses.
VisionWe are enlivened by striking colours such as bright red andyellow. We are soothed by subdued, cool colours such as
blue and green.
Hearing
Non-rhythmic music awakens us. The sound of a heartbeat
or soft music calms us down.
Smell and taste
We are re-energised by the taste and smell of sour, bitter
stimuli such as citrus, coffee and strong cheese. We arecalmed by sweet stimuli such as chocolate, vanilla, rose andlavender.
Vestibular
When we sway from side to side, or jump up and down,
we are woken up. When we swing “in the direction of thenose” we become calm – such as in a rocking chair.
TactileWe are reassured by rhythmic, uniform strokes in the direction of the hair, a tight embrace or by being swaddled.
Unpredictable and inconsistent stimuli on the skin causes
us stress.
Try to imagine that people are built from Lego blocks. When
we are not receiving information through proprioception, theblocks begin to come loose, and we lose sense of our own body,which makes us insecure and restless. Stimulation of muscles
and joints is like pulling the blocks back together and reintegrating our body image, which has a calming effect and makes
us secure and resilient.

Proprioception
Joint compression and change of muscle tension calms us
down regardless of whether the stimulation is obtained
through movement, or passively in the form of deep
and dynamic pressure from sensory stimulating tools.
Stimulation of proprioception always has a unifying andcalming effect, and cannot be over-stimulated.

Puzzle inspired by occupational therapist Hanne Holmer

The important influence of sleep on body and mind
Researchers are constantly learning more about
sleep and its great role for our mental andphysical health and development. Getting deep,
quality sleep is important. Sleep is like a shower
for the brain, where a series of physiologicalprocesses take place in the body that have animpact on our health and state of mind. Sleep
strengthens our immune system and gives us
energy and additional resources to manage everyday activities. Unfortunately, many people withsleep disorders find that they have extreme difficulty in falling asleep. This is often due to the factthat the brain lacks input from muscles and joints

when we are lying in bed. We therefore want toinstinctively turn and pivot ourselves to receive
these inputs. This physical unrest prevents us fromfalling asleep and leads to numerous nighttime
awakenings. The compromised body image canfortunately be reinforced with a sensory stimulating blanket that uses weight, depth and dynamic
pressure from balls to stimulate muscles andjoints. This can make you feel calm and secure
even when lying still.

Protac products
Protac Ball Blanket™
The original Protac Ball Blanket™ is available in several variants – all with specially designedwith low–noise balls. The right choice depends on the user’s sensory system, preferences andthe challenges the user is facing. The calming effect has been scientifically documented.

A goodnight’s sleep
provides better qualityof life and additional
resources for everyday
challenges

Protac SenSit®
The chair has balls in the seat, back and arms, allowing for comfortable sitting and resting postures. The weight and pressure of the ballsincrease proprioception and promote calmness.
Protac MyFit®
A sense-stimulating ball vest that delivers deep pressure every time the body moves. The ball vest is specially designed to create a senseof calm and increased concentration during activities.
Protac SensOn®
A body-adapted collar that stimulates the neck, shoulders and chest. The collar is discrete and comfortable to wear, while promoting
calmness and relaxing the neck.
Protac SensCircle®
Shapeable and flexible multi-cushion with 9 articulations. The cushion can be flexed and wrapped and allows innumerable possibilities
for activity, relaxation, rest and positioning.
Protac GroundMe®
A sense-stimulating foot cushion that grounds and promotes calmness and concentration.
Protac Ball Cushion™
The cushion can be fastened to chairs in the classroom, day care centre or at the dining table at home. The ball cushion especiallystrengthens the vestibular and tactile senses making it more easy for especially children to sit still.
Protac KneedMe® To Go
A portable, discrete and calming knee blanket that strengthens concentration through proprioceptive and tactile stimulation.
Protac MyBaSe®
A vestibular and sense-stimulating air mattress that, in combination with balls, is a fun and pleasant place to be when the entire body’s
sensory system needs stimuli.

PROTAC A/SNiels Bohrs Vej 31 D, Stilling, DK-8660 Skanderborg
T +45 8619 4103, protac@protac.dk, www.protac.dk