Eighteen studies were included (663 patients, range 4 to 136); 10 were randomised trials.
Nine studies (four randomised) reported positive effects on behaviour following multisensory stimulation. The reporting of results in the studies was limited; only two reported that the effects were statistically significant compared with a control group. Two other studies (one randomised) reported no significant effect. Four of the nine studies reported on any immediate effects on behaviour; four non-controlled studies reported positive effects (all without any supporting statistics), and one randomised trial (20 participants) reported no significant difference between groups.
No significant differences were found for mood (between treatment and control groups) in the three studies of one-to-one interventions.
One randomised study of 136 participants found no significant differences in cognition between groups.
Two randomised studies found significant improvements in communication with caregivers following multisensory stimulation.
Further results of individual studies were reported.