Audiovisual multisensory integration in individuals with reading and language impairments: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Differences in sensory function have been documented for a number of neurodevelopmental conditions, including reading and language impairments. Prior studies have measured audiovisual multisensory integration (i.e., the ability to combine inputs from the auditory and visual modalities) in these populations. The present study sought to systematically review and quantitatively synthesize the extant literature on audiovisual multisensory integration in individuals with reading and language impairments. A comprehensive search strategy yielded 56 reports, of which 38 were used to extract 109 group difference and 68 correlational effect sizes. There was an overall difference between individuals with reading and language impairments and comparisons on audiovisual integration. There was a nonsignificant trend towards moderation according to sample type (i.e., reading versus language) and publication/small study bias for this model. Overall, there was a small but nonsignificant correlation between metrics of audiovisual integration and reading or language ability; this model was not moderated by sample or study characteristics, nor was there evidence of publication/small study bias. Limitations and future directions for primary and meta-analytic research are discussed.