Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42277966›Full record

SynthesisBMC psychology2026

Extreme sensory processing in high intellectual potential individuals : a systematic review.

Gabrielle Pouilloux, Hélène Sido, Clément Polin, Aude Paquet

Abstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in BMC psychology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Gabrielle PouillouxDepartment of Research and Innovation, Esquirol Hospital, Limoges, France.
Hélène SidoIndependent psychologist, Limoges, France.
Clément PolinDepartment of Research and Innovation, Esquirol Hospital, Limoges, France.
Aude PaquetDepartment of Research and Innovation, Esquirol Hospital, Limoges, France. audepaquet@gmail.com.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundSensitivity has been described as a characteristic of individuals with High Intellectual Potential (HIP). However, extreme sensory processing, manifesting as heightened or diminished responsiveness to sensory input, has not yet been the subject of a dedicated systematic review. This systematic review aims to critically examine and synthesize existing studies on extreme sensory processing among HIP individuals, with particular attention to theoretical frameworks, assessment tools, and methodological quality.

methodsThis review was conducted in compliance with PRISMA guidelines. An updated search was performed in December 2024 using the following keywords: "sensory", "sensitivity" and "high intelligence" or "gifted" in the Pubmed, Web of Science, PsycINFO, PsycArticle, ScienceDirect and Scopus databases. The included articles specifically examined sensory processing in response to internal or external stimuli.

resultsOf the 739 articles screened, 21 were eligible and 5 studies ultimately met the inclusion criteria. The studies exhibit conceptual heterogeneity, utilizing diverse theoretical frameworks. While some studies report differences in sensory reactivity, these findings are not convergent and largely depend on the heterogeneity of the theoretical frameworks, constructs, and measurement tools used, which limits their interpretability and comparability. There is a lack of consistent evidence supporting the existence of a generalized or extreme sensory processing profile in HIP populations. Methodological limitations, including a lack of control for neurodevelopmental comorbidities, and variability in participant characteristics, further limit the generalizability of the findings.

conclusionThe literature does not support the hypothesis that individuals with HIP exhibit extreme sensory processing. The theoretical and methodological variability observed across studies makes it difficult to draw unified conclusions. Future research should adopt standardized methodologies, provide clear cognitive characterizations, and control for confounding variables to clarify the sensory processing patterns in HIP individuals.

trial registrationPROSPERO registration number CRD42024629219.

Indexed as

IntelligenceSensationHumansHeightened sensitivityHigh intellectual potentialHypersensitivityHyposensitivityOverexcitabilitySensory processingSensory processing sensitivity

Identifiers

PMID42277966
PMCPMC13501845

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.