I would suggest three reading to start with.

1) Dawson and Watling (2000). Interventions to facilitate auditory, visual and motor integration in autism: A review of the evidence. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 30, 415-421.

This is a decent review of sensory integration based therapies although, as a commentator points out (see reading #2), there are some logical flaws to their conclusions.

2) Goldstein (2000). Commentary: Interventions to facilitate auditory, visual and motor integration; "Show me the data." Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 30, 423-425.

The insight provided with this commentary is fantastic and does make a direct reference to a study regarding the "Hug Machine."

3) Lang et al., (2012). Sensory integration therapy for autism spectrum disorder: A systematic review. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 6, 1004-1018.

This is a more recent review of SI therapies in general. The conclusions are similar to the above articles but provide more updated information. If I recall correctly there is no direct reference to the "Hug Machine" in this manuscript but there has not been a lot of research regarding the treatment since the 90's (if my memory serves me correctly).

In the end, it is an unestablished therapy and there are other therapies with a better track record for achieving the desired results (e.g., on-task, reduced anxiety, increased compliance, skill development).

The best overview of sensory disorders and treatment in ASD has been done by Olga Bogdashina, in "Sensory Perceptual Issues in Autism and Asperger Syndrome

Different Sensory Experiences - Different Perceptual Worlds" Published by Jessica Kingsley Publishers in 2003.

I hope you'll find ressources in that book.

Best regards

http://www.jkp.com/catalogue/author/1078

Thank you both for your contributions here, I will be sure to review these fully!

The most recent review on sensory treatments for ASD was published this year by Jane Case-Smith. She distinguishes between passive sensory strategies such as weighted vests (I don't think that squeezing was among the studied modalities) and found no evidence. Active SI treatment following Ayres' principles on the other hand had positive effects. From Ayres' theory it does make sense that hug machine and bondage work.

I might research a similar question in my dissertation or as post doc research with physiological measures: if active proprioception has a calming effect.

Thank you Elisabeth for this contribution. I am very seriously considering shifting my research in this direction as of late as I have more than found a high portion of the alternative lifestyle scenes who are on the autism spectrum and this element seems neglected (perhaps understandably so).

Rope bondage or other methods (I mean therapeutical holding for example) is a critical ethical problem, because of physical restraint applied by anyone else but the patient him-self.

Many approaches fight against those methods because they find them unethical (cf. non aversive approach- Elven BH, No fighting, no biting, no screaming, Jessica Kingsley Publishers 2010). In France, there is a great debate about the "packing", a method imported from USA in the 70's (Chesnut Lodge psychiatric institution (Rockville, MA) and used first for adult psychotic patients, and consisting in tightly enveloping the patient into fresh sheets, and staying in relationship with him in a sort of psychotherapeutic setting. A RCT is always in progress in France, but families fight against. Theory is based on baby-wrapping done in the old time, and recently rediscovered by neonatology, or sensory-motor approach (André Bullinger, a swiss researcher).

But I believe that's very difficult to have probant researches in this domain because of this ethical problem underlying.

In a therapy context, there is more to consider that is certainly outside of my own experience and knowledge, and I would have to leave my opinions regarding treatment research to the professionals there.

In a BDSM context, those outside of the social scene often tend to assume that the recipient or "bottom" is being tied in servitude to the rigger, top, or what ever chosen title of the performer may take. Often times, non-practitioners of such methods, or those unaccustomed to the culture of BDSM will often be repulsed by the notion of recreational bondage. While on popular social networks such as FetLife (currently carrying a member base of around 2,700,000 open accounts), it can be seen that high-level bondage practitioners are in high demand and are often sought out by either those interested in learning the methods, or those interested in receiving the experience.

Within that environment the major thing that tends to keep a considerable amount of research from being properly conducted is the concern of social and legal repercussions in regards to the taboos around sexual exploration and expression, though rope bondage doesn't have to incur the influence of either (and I personally prefer to keep it apart from it in my own practice). Thus a perceived and assumed ethical issue of "why would someone want to tie up another person?" tends to be the concern that escalates to writing the research project as a whole off in the public eye.

I concur strongly that in a medical or therapeutic treatment context, medical ethics certainly become a very critical issue, to what extent and how that might manifest is beyond my own experience.

Great question! I am currently doing a phenomenological study into certain aspects of BDSM for my dissertation and I can say with great confidence that there is absolutely no academic research in the area of your question – not specifically detailing the effects of BDSM anyway. However, through my experiences and encounters within the BDSM community, I have seen and discussed some truly amazing effects of rope bondage on people with bipolar disorder, especially when in a hypermanic state. As you said, there is an almost immediate calming effect. Interestingly, I have not come across this topic on the numerous FetLife forums dedicated to members with bipolar. I am very excited at the thought of a phenomenological study of this question.

As a side note – you say “Thus a perceived and assumed ethical issue of "why would someone want to tie up another person?" tends to be the concern that escalates to writing the research project as a whole off in the public eye.” I find it very interesting that the opposite question is not more present in the research: “why would anyone WANT TO BE tied up?” Freud argued that there was no such thing as true masochism, only the opposite and submissive reaction to sadism. Is the desire to be tied up only in submission to those who might want to tie someone up? I think not! Your question opens up the field to explore this very question.                     

Thank you very much for your input Alexzandria, I only wish that I was in a position to conduct roper research on the subject. You present some excellent questions here.

The detail on bi-polar disorder certainly catches my eye, is there a chance that you know of any other conditions that may also be positively influenced by rope bondage or other constricting practices? I've actually observed a number of individuals whom identify as claustrophobic yet appear to handle rope bondage rather well (myself included).

I've often been asked why someone would like to be tied up, and my answer is usually along the lines of comparing it to a full body hug. However, in North America it seems that the effects of a hug is drastically undermined, and then coupled with the perceived (and often acted upon) inclusion of sexuality into the practice quickly turns the subject into a stigma.

I too often turn to Freud for a sort of launching pad for starting new research (though usually on the Id, Ego, and Superego), and he never seems to hold up well late game does he? 

I cannot offer any insight in to bi-polar disorder or any other pathology, and bondage per se but I might offer something in the same ilk.  Frequently in BDSM one of the positive aspects from the "Bottom's" (the receiver of BDSM rope or impact play) perspective is something referred to as sub-space.  The frequent analogy is that of runner's high and it is likewise frequently referred to as a consequence of endorphins influencing an individuals mental/emotional state.  There is some recent research suggesting it is more likely a result of anandamide and consequent effects on the endocannabinoid system in the brain and periphery.  There is also research to suggest that boosting anandamide levels may be a help to help treat anxiety and depression.  This relates to your question because some practitioners of rope bondage also report entering in to sub-space by virtue of being bound.  It is possible that this effect of anandamide might be influencing those with various disorders, but this is of course only conjecture.  There is also a possible link to oxytocin and the hugging effect which is a separate but perhaps related question.  Might it be a combined effect?  You will have to find someone with the funding to actually do the research to learn more.

I think that hugging is gaining a resurgence and reclaiming by many in the USA.  That there are still creepy folk about is sad, but a fact that many can avoid by just hugging friends.  Though I would avoid Freud on the subject because of what he might say about your mother... (Sorry, I couldn't resist).  I hope previous thoughts are helpful.

Link to article on exercise and endocannabiniods/anandamide.

http://www.harford.de/arne/articles/NeuroReport.pdf

I was reciently discussing these matters on FetLife and have opted to copy my comment from there to here:

"Over the past few years I've accumulated some observations on the subject, and like several self-diagnosed aspies, I do feel theres a link between Temple Grandin's squeeze machine and bondage. Though that's not quite the focus on my thesis here. I have observed that the majority (nearly all of the examples ) of me that I have tied who deeply enjoyed it have been on the autism spectrum. These particular aspies tend to also be huggers interestingly enough as many of them had pointed out that as children the sense of touch from another human was extremely overbearing (myself included), while tight or heavy blankets (or wool sweaters in one mans case) was very enjoyable and calming.

As a tactile savant (I experiance many things through touch and can recall things easily if I can match it to a texture or physical sensation - also quite useful for my martial arts practice), one can imagine what handling rope is like for me. Unfortunate I have not been tied by a competent rigger so I cannot describe that experiance properly.

On another note, the intricacy of Japanese rope bondage, the ability to reach a flow state (psychology) as a rigger (which acted as a therapy for myself), and this activity that bridges the social gap between people are all things that really grabbed my aspie attention and held it."

https://fetlife.com/groups/836/group_posts/9774879