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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Sensory processing patterns and their associations with dementia worry among community-dwelling older adults
Junko Hoshino1* ,
Noriatsu Tatematsu1 ,
Rika Usami2 ,
Yukari Murayama1 ,
Naomi Furukawa2 ,
Kuniharu Imai1 ,
for the Togo Study Group 1
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1 Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Aichi , Japan
2 Department of Nursing, Gifu College of Nursing, Hashima, Gifu , Japan
HPR, 026310183 https://doi.org/10.36922/HPR026310183
Received: 28 July 2026 | Revised: 17 September 2026 | Accepted: 28 September 2026 | Published online: 27 October 2026
© 2026 by the Author(s). This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution -Noncommercial 4.0 International License (CC-by the license) ( https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ )
Abstract
Background: Changes in sensory input, such as declines in visual and auditory function among community-dwelling older adults, rather than sensory processing characteristics themselves, have been the focus of previous studies. Changes in sensory processing may influence the mental health of older adults.
Objectives: To examine the association between sensory processing patterns and dementia worry among community-dwelling older adults.
Methods: A self-administered questionnaire survey was conducted among 186 community-dwelling older adults. Sensory processing characteristics were assessed using the Adolescent and Adult Sensory Profile (AASP). Dementia worry was assessed using the Dementia Worry Assessment Scale (DWAS). Sensory processing patterns were extracted using cluster analysis. Multiple regression analysis was conducted using DWAS scores as the dependent variable and sensory processing patterns as independent variables.
Results: Two clusters were identified based on the four AASP quadrants: The “Lower AASP Score Group” and the “Higher AASP Score Group.” In the multiple regression analysis, using the Lower AASP Score Group as the reference, the Higher AASP Score Group was significantly associated with higher DWAS scores (standardized β = 0.182, p = 0.011).
Conclusion: These results suggest that individual differences in sensory processing characteristics may be associated with psychological reactions to dementia in older adulthood. Relatively higher scores for low registration, sensory sensitivity, and sensation avoiding were associated with higher levels of dementia worry.
Graphical abstract
Keywords
Dementia worry
Older adults
Sensory processing
Cluster analysis
Funding
This work was supported by JSPS KAKENHI (grant number JP23K10371).
Conflict of interest
The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
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