Sensory burden, a momentary experience of being bothered by sensory stimuli, is a frequent challenge following acquired brain injury (ABI). This study quantitatively tested a theoretical model conceptualizing sensory burden as a dynamic interaction between situational triggers and an individual’s biopsychosocial resources using an experience sampling method.

41 individuals with ABI (median age = 59 years, median time since injury = 6.3 years) provided real-time data at seven semi-random intervals per day over seven consecutive days. Multilevel regression modeling assessed the influence of situational triggers (setting, company, effort, activity dissatisfaction, and negative affect) and individual resources (processing speed, fatigue, and sleep quality) on sensory burden.

Momentary fluctuations in sensory burden varied in severity and variability across individuals. Sensory burden was associated with higher levels of negative affect (β = .58, p < .01), activity dissatisfaction (β = .07, p < .01), effort (β = .09, p < .01), and being in company (β = .39, p < .01). Moreover, sensory burden was related to slower processing speed (β = −0.04, p = .02) and higher fatigue (β = .19, p < .01). However, no interaction effects were found. Effort was the only positive, significant between-person predictor (β = .56, p < .01).

These findings underscore the dynamic and individualized nature of sensory burden after ABI, emphasizing the need for personalized interventions targeting sensory hypersensitivity. Future research should explore additional triggers, resources, and causal pathways to further elucidate the proposed mechanisms and inform treatment development.