Weighted Blankets are Effective in Improving Sleep, New Review Says | Sci.News

Oct 22, 2024

Weighted blankets can help to improve sleep in adults with insomnia and other mental health conditions, including anxiety and depression, but results are mixed for children, according to a new review paper published in The American Journal of Occupational Therapy.

Dawson et al. suggest that occupational therapists should consider offering or recommending weighted blankets as a sleep intervention option for people of all ages, alongside consideration of individuals’ preferences. Image credit: Martin de Arriba.

“Sleep is a basic human need and when someone isn’t getting enough, it can lead to numerous health issues as well as increase the risk of, or exacerbate, chronic conditions, including heart disease, stroke, and mental health issues,” said Flinders University researcher Dr. Suzanne Dawson.

“In occupational therapy, weighted blankets are becoming more common amongst many ages as an assistive technology, but no current clinical guidelines exist for their use.”

In their review study, Dr. Dawson and colleagues authors looked at 18 existing studies that had investigated the use of weighted blankets overnight.

They found significant evidence supporting the use of weighted blankets for improving sleep among adults.

“Weighted blankets seem to offer a tangible, non-drug intervention for improving sleep quality,” Dr. Dawson said.

“Adults who used the blankets reported better sleep, reduced use of sleep medications, and even improvements in mood and pain management.”

Despite strong evidence for adult use, findings were mixed for the use of weighted blankets with children, with limited sleep improvements for children with conditions such as ADHD or autism spectrum disorder.

However, some parents reported positive outcomes from their use and some studies showed an improvement in children’s daily functioning, following use of a weighted blanket.

“Parents often reported that their children appeared more relaxed, less anxious, and more focused during daily activities when using the blankets, which could have a long-term impact on their overall well-being,” Dr. Dawson said.

The authors note that for children, and adults with cognitive difficulties, any blanket used should be able to be easily removed by the individual themselves.

While the findings show overnight use of weighted blankets can be recommended for adults and trailed in children, the next step is develop clear clinical guidelines for the blankets’ use.

“This scoping review was conducted to inform practice change and we are pleased that the findings were used to change the state-wide protocols for use of weighted blankets across public mental health services in South Australia,” Dr. Dawson said.

“Blankets come in in various types, from containing beads or chains, and various weights, but as yet no standardised recommendations exist, including type, weight, frequency of use, or duration.”

“While more rigorous research is needed to find their optimal use, use of weighted blankets should be further explored in practice.”

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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