A recent comprehensive review, published in The American Journal of Occupational Therapy, indicates that weighted blankets may offer benefits for sleep enhancement in adults grappling with insomnia and various mental health challenges, such as anxiety and depression. However, the efficacy of these blankets in pediatric populations appears to be less conclusive.
The findings by Dawson and colleagues propose that occupational therapists might consider incorporating weighted blankets as a potential sleep intervention for individuals across all age groups, emphasizing the importance of accommodating personal preferences. Credit for the image: Martin de Arriba.
“Sufficient sleep is fundamental to human health, and its absence can precipitate a cascade of health complications, potentially amplifying the risk or severity of chronic ailments, including cardiovascular disease, cerebrovascular events, and psychological disorders,” stated Dr. Suzanne Dawson, a researcher at Flinders University.
“Within the realm of occupational therapy, weighted blankets are increasingly being recognized as assistive technology for a broad spectrum of individuals, yet definitive clinical guidelines governing their application are still absent.”
In their meticulous review, Dr. Dawson and her co-authors examined eighteen prior studies that had investigated the application of weighted blankets during nighttime sleep.
Their analysis yielded substantial evidence supporting the deployment of weighted blankets to improve sleep patterns in adult subjects.
“Weighted blankets appear to provide a concrete, non-pharmacological strategy for enhancing sleep quality,” Dr. Dawson remarked.
“Adult participants who utilized these blankets reported augmented sleep, reduced reliance on sleep-inducing medications, and even observable improvements in mood regulation and pain management.”
Notwithstanding the robust findings concerning adult usage, the results were equivocal when it came to children, with only marginal sleep improvements noted for pediatric cases diagnosed with conditions like ADHD or autism spectrum disorder.
Nevertheless, anecdotal reports from parents indicated positive outcomes, and certain studies demonstrated an enhancement in children’s daytime functioning subsequent to the use of weighted blankets.
“Parental accounts frequently described their children exhibiting increased calmness, diminished anxiety, and enhanced focus during daily pursuits when utilizing these blankets, which could have a lasting favorable influence on their overall welfare,” Dr. Dawson elaborated.
The researchers underscored the critical need for any blanket employed with children, or adults experiencing cognitive impairments, to be easily removable by the individual themselves.
While the current evidence suggests that overnight use of weighted blankets can be judiciously recommended for adults and explored tentatively with children, the subsequent imperative is the development of explicit clinical protocols for their implementation.
“This scoping review was undertaken with the objective of informing practice evolution, and we are gratified that its conclusions have already facilitated modifications to the statewide protocols governing the use of weighted blankets within public mental health services in South Australia,” Dr. Dawson shared.
“These blankets are manufactured in diverse forms, incorporating materials such as beads or chains, and varying in weight; however, standardized recommendations regarding type, mass, frequency of application, or duration of use are yet to be established.”
“Although more rigorous scientific inquiry is essential to ascertain their optimal application, the judicious incorporation of weighted blankets into clinical practice warrants further exploration.”
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Suzanne Dawson et al. 2024. Weighted Blankets as a Sleep Intervention: A Scoping Review. The American Journal of Occupational Therapy 78 (5): 7805205160; doi: 10.5014/ajot.2024.050676
