Brain Imaging & Meaningful Activity: Translating fNIRS Research into Practice
                     Brain Imaging &
Meaningful Activity
Research into practice
What can brain imaging help us understand about meaningful activity — and how carefully should we translate research into practice?
Based on research by Umm E Habiba and colleagues (2026)
The research at a glance
A systematic review of fNIRS studies
72 studies reviewed
Studies published between 2015 and 2025
Five conditions represented: autism, ADHD, cerebral palsy, hypoxic–ischaemic encephalopathy and 
epilepsy
The review mapped which cortical regions were investigated using functional near-infrared 
spectroscopy (fNIRS)
The synthesis was descriptive and did not include a quantitative meta-analysis
Source: The Sensory Project • Brain Imaging & Meaningful Activity • 30 September 2026
What is fNIRS?
Functional near-infrared spectroscopy
fNIRS uses light to measure changes in blood oxygenation near the surface of the brain.
These oxygenation changes provide an indirect indicator of cortical activity.
One advantage is portability: fNIRS can support research in contexts involving movement and social 
interaction.
This creates opportunities to study brain activity in situations that are closer to everyday activity than 
some laboratory methods.
Source: The Sensory Project • Brain Imaging & Meaningful Activity • 30 September 2026
Where researchers look matters
Prefrontal cortex Research priorities Technical accessibility
Investigated across all five conWdhitieoren sr.esearchers look reflects the queMstieoansus raenmde pnrti ocrhiotiiecse so fa trhe ea lfiseol dsh. aped by what the technology can practically capture.
Important: the review does not establish that a shared cortical pattern is a shared cause.
Source: The Sensory Project • Brain Imaging & Meaningful Activity • 30 September 2026
What the findings can — and cannot — tell us
Brain imaging can offer useful opportunities for understanding cortical activity during movement and social 
interaction.
However, methods varied substantially across the included studies.
Links between brain measurements and everyday functioning still need further validation.
The review did not test Ayres Sensory Integration (ASI) intervention.
It did not establish which therapy adjustment should be made during a session.
Source: The Sensory Project • Brain Imaging & Meaningful Activity • 30 September 2026
From neuroscience to meaningful activity
A practice-focused interpretation
Keep neuroscience connected to the person's lived experience and observable participation.
Use brain research to inform curiosity — not to replace the person's priorities.
Start with the activities and relationships the person wants to take part in.
Bring together the person's account, assessment findings and observations of the activity and setting.
Ask whether change reaches everyday life beyond the therapy session.
Source: The Sensory Project • Brain Imaging & Meaningful Activity • 30 September 2026
Practice reflection: participation in the playground
Goal: a child wants to join friends in playground games.
Explore the child's own experience of joining in.
Observe participation and consider what happens during the activity and in the setting.
Review progress together with the child and relevant people.
Key question: has anything changed in the playground — not only during the therapy activity?
This is an illustrative practice reflection, not an intervention tested by the review.
Source: The Sensory Project • Brain Imaging & Meaningful Activity • 30 September 2026
Key takeaways
fNIRS is creating new opportunities to investigate cortical activity in more naturalistic contexts.
The evidence base is varied, and brain measurements should be interpreted cautiously.
Research findings do not automatically translate into therapy decisions.
Meaningful outcomes remain grounded in participation, context and what matters to the person.
The most useful question is not only “what is happening in the brain?” but also “what difference does this 
make in everyday life?”
Source: The Sensory Project • Brain Imaging & Meaningful Activity • 30 September 2026
Reference
Habiba, U. E., Mateen, N., Hong, K.-S., Kim, C.-S., Meng, J., Lee, H. & Kim, J. (2026).
Cortical Region Reporting Patterns in Neurodevelopmental Disorders: A Systematic Review of fNIRS Studies.
Biosensors, 16(8), 408.
Article discussed in this presentation:
Brain Imaging & Meaningful Activity — The Sensory Project, 30 September 2026.
Source: The Sensory Project • Brain Imaging & Meaningful Activity • 30 September 2026