Prevalence and Demographic Influences of Misokinesia and Misophonia in Adults in India

Purpose:: This study aimed to assess the prevalence and characteristics of misophonia and misokinesia among adults in India, focusing on demographic influences such as age and gender. Misophonia, characterized by aversive reactions to specific sounds, and misokinesia, involving similar reactions to repetitive visual stimuli, are sensory processing disorders with profound impacts on affected individuals. Methods:: The study used a cross-sectional survey design and included 450 adults (240 females and 210 males) aged 18-50 years, recruited from various regions across India. Data were collected through an online survey that included demographic information and standardized questionnaires: the Misophonia Assessment Questionnaire (MAQ) and the Misokinesia Assessment Questionnaire (MkAQ). Participants who indicated symptoms rated the severity of their experiences. Results:: The prevalence of misophonia was found to be 16.89%, and misokinesia was 5.34%. Co-occurrence of both conditions was observed in 8.89% of participants. Prevalence rates were higher among females across both conditions. A moderate negative correlation was identified between symptom severity and age, indicating that younger adults experience greater sensitivity to both misophonia and misokinesia. Conclusions:: The findings reveal a notable prevalence of misophonia and misokinesia among Indian adults, with higher rates observed in younger individuals and females. The co-occurrence of these conditions suggests shared mechanisms and emphasizes the need for targeted, culturally relevant assessment and intervention approaches. These results underscore the importance of understanding sensory processing disorders within diverse cultural contexts, providing foundational insights for clinical practice and future research in India.