A groundbreaking study from researchers at Brighton and Sussex Medical School (BSMS) and University College London (UCL) has, for the first time, introduced an in-vivo data-informed conceptual model that explores how hypermobility affects emotion regulation in neurodivergent people. This research provides crucial data that supports and extends existing theories on the interplay between motor behaviour, proprioception and interoception in regulating emotions.
Dr Jessica Eccles, Dr Lisa Quadt, Professor Hugo Critchley from BSMS, and Professor Sarah Garfinkel from UCL, led the research, titled ‘A model linking emotional dysregulation in neurodivergent people to the proprioceptive impact of joint hypermobility’.
Analysing data from 182 participants, the researchers developed a brain-body model demonstrating how variant connective tissue, manifested as joint hypermobility, influences the relationship between sensory unpredictability, neurodivergent traits (such as ADHD and autistic characteristics), and emotion regulation. Their findings indicate that emotional regulation in neurodivergent individuals is impacted by proprioceptive uncertainty, which is further determined by the presence of joint hypermobility. This study builds on their previous work linking joint hypermobility with neurodivergence and related physical health symptoms.
Commenting on the implications of their research, Dr Eccles said: "We believe that future research in this area may have important clinical implications for the interaction of mental and physical wellbeing in neurodivergent people. It will hopefully pave the way for more brain-body treatments for mental health challenges, as conventional drug and psychotherapies do not work, or are available, for all.
“This study marks a significant step towards understanding the complex interplay between physical and emotional health in neurodivergent individuals, potentially leading to more effective and holistic treatment approaches.”
The researchers hope that this study's insights could pave the way for innovative therapeutic approaches that better address the needs of neurodivergent individuals, who often face significant barriers to healthcare. Improved understanding of the factors underpinning psychological and physical health could lead to flexible, integrated strategies to help these individuals thrive. The findings of the study encourage interdisciplinary science and practice to develop holistic care strategies that integrate brain and body health.
The study features in a special issue of the Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B, titled "Sensing and feeling: An integrative approach to perceptual processing and emotional experience."
Read the full study here >