PECULIARITIES OF THE CLINICAL ANALYSIS OF THE SENSORY PROFILE IN MILITARY PERSONNEL
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32782/psy-visnyk/2025.4.9Keywords:
mild traumatic brain injury, adjustment disorder, military personnel, sensory sensitivity, sensory profile, auditory stimuli, interoception, distress, neuropsychological rehabilitation, VSO-18Abstract
The article presents the results of a study of sensory profiles in servicemen with mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) and adjustment disorder (AD) symptoms. Particular attention is paid to identifying differences in the frequency of sensory manifestations and distress levels across sensory domains (visual, auditory, vestibular, proprioceptive, tactile, and interoceptive). The author’s VSO-18 questionnaire, specifically developed with consideration of the specifics of military service, was used to assess sensory characteristics. This work is the first pilot testing (approbation) of the instrument.The aim of the study was to investigate qualitative and quantitative features of sensory sensitivity and its relationship with the clinical state of servicemen. 38 individuals aged 23–56 years (active servicemen and war veterans) were examined.Descriptive and interpretive clinical-psychological processing of the respondent data was performed, as well as correlation analysis of the relationship between the frequency of sensory manifestations and distress levels.The results showed that patients with mTBI more often exhibited vestibular, visual, and tactile manifestations, whereas in servicemen with AD symptoms auditory and interoceptive reactions dominated. The highest distress level in both groups was associated with auditory stimuli; the AD group additionally showed significant interoceptive load with pronounced sleep disturbances and anxiety. Correlation analysis revealed strong agreement between manifestation frequency and distress in the mTBI group (r=0.878; ρ=0.829) and moderate but significant agreement in the AD group (r=0.888; ρ=0.943).The study confirmed the importance of comprehensive sensory assessment in military personnel for more accurate differential diagnosis and individualized rehabilitation programs. The VSO-18 questionnaire proved effective for clinical practice (screening, monitoring, and outcome evaluation of psychocorrectional and neuropsychological interventions).
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