An extra cozy blanket to snuggle under sounds particularly enticing this time of year. And in recent years, there’s been a particular type of blanket that has seen a surge in its sales: the weighted blanket. Weighted blankets are a useful invention and we do recommend them to particular clients. But weighted blankets do come with certain precautions, and it seems the general public may not always be aware of this.
If you aren’t familiar with them, here’s a little background info. Weighted blankets are just that- blankets filled with material such as plastic pellets to intentionally make them heavier. They come in a range of weights from as little as 5 pounds up to 25 pounds and come in a variety of colors, shapes, and sizes. They are marketed to children, adults, and even pets. Websites and advertisements tout their benefits for anxiety, ADHD, insomnia, and restless sleep. The weight is designed to produce a calming effect- like a hug.
Science or Science Fiction?
Are the claims accurate? Do they actually work? Unfortunately, these questions are a bit difficult to answer. The pool of research on weighted blankets is fairly limited, so we don’t have a lot of scientific evidence either for or against their use. The few studies that do exist are relatively small in size and only look at specific populations (children with ASD or ADHD).
One study, which focused on children with ADHD, found the blankets helped decrease the number of minutes it took the children to fall asleep. The act of falling asleep can prove particularly difficult for children with ADHD. Sleep interventions that pose minimal risk of side effects are often welcomed by parents and practitioners alike. And according to this study, a weighted blanket may fit the bill.
The remainder of the available research suggests that the blankets may not make too much of a difference in the total amount of sleep a child gets and/ or number of night wakings. However, we are all keenly aware that the recipe for a good night’s sleep includes much more than just the number of minutes slept. In one of these studies, the researchers interviewed children and parents about their perception of the blankets. Parents reported feeling that their children were calmer when using the blankets, even if their quantity of sleep hadn’t changed. At the end of the study, when given a choice, the majority chose to keep using the weighted blankets.
From a Therapist’s Perspective
“Everyone’s sensory system is unique, so it’s really hard to objectively study products like these,” says Trish LaCour, MS/OTR, Director of OT at Advent Therapy Services. “Two children with the exact same diagnoses can still respond completely differently to the sensory input provided by a weighted blanket. What calms one child may agitate another. You have to look at each person as an individual, not as a diagnosis.”
The research also has significant shortcomings in regards to safety precautions. Distributor websites for the blankets offer 10% body weight as a starting point for blanket weight, but they also recommend purchasers “adjust as desired”. LaCour explains, “In general, we recommend that clients do not exceed the 10% guideline. We have seen complaints of muscle and joint pain when clients do not follow these recommendations. We also do not recommend that a child sleep with a weighted blanket that is bigger than their body as they can become trapped by the weight.”
Concrete evidence from research studies is the gold standard for backing clinical recommendations. But when the data is slim, skilled clinicians used experience, the available data, and clinical judgment to provide the best possible client-centered care.
LaCour and her team routinely recommend these products to clients when appropriate. LaCour even teaches parents how to make their own child-sized blankets using king-sized pillow cases.
To Buy or Not to Buy
The bottom line? Weighted blankets are an individualized therapeutic strategy designed to help individuals function at their fullest. They are often worth a try, but are likely not the miracle product the manufacturer’s claim them as. And as always, use them wisely and follow the safety guidelines!
Stay cozy,
The Advent Team
Sources
- France KG, McLay LK, Junter JE, France MLS. Empirical Research Evaluating the Effects of Non-traditional Approaches to Enhancing Sleep in Typical and Clinical Children and Young People. Sleep Med Rev. 2018;39:69-81. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28918314
- Gringras P, Green D, Wright B, et al. Weighted Blankets and Sleep in Autistic Children–a Randomized Controlled Trial. Pediatrics. 2014;134(2):298-306. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25022743
- Hvolby A, Bilenberg N. Use of Ball Blanket in Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Sleeping Problems. Nord J Psychiatry. 2011;65(2):89-94. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=use+of+ball+blankets+in+ADHD
- Bestbier L, Williams TI. The Immediate Effects of Deep Pressure on Young People with Autism and Severe Intellectual Difficulties: Demonstrating Individual Differences. Occup Ther Int. 2017;9:2017. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29097980
