How do weighted blankets work for children?
Researchers have studied the effectiveness of weighted blankets under various conditions. Although more research is needed, the results so far have shown the following benefits for children:
How do therapy blankets work for children with autism spectrum disorder?
One of the symptoms of autism, especially in children, is sleep disorders. In a crossover study by P. Gringras et al. from 2014, the researchers examined the effectiveness of weighted blankets for sleep problems related to autism. The results showed that sleep scores improved only slightly with the use of the weighted blanket.
However, both the children and their parents found that they liked the weighted blanket more despite no improvement in sleep scores and subjectively noticed an improvement in sleep.
This is supported by a smaller research study by Bestbier & Williams (2017), which found the positive benefits of deep pressure therapy in some people with autism. These benefits can also be related to weighted blankets.
How do therapy blankets help children diagnosed with ADHD?
There are very few studies that examine the use of weighted blankets in ADHD. However, a similar study was conducted with weighted vests. In this study, the researchers explain that weighted vests were used in ADHD therapy to improve attention and reduce hyperactive movements.
The study showed promising results for participants who used the weighted vest during a continuous performance test. These participants had to interrupt fewer tasks and showed significantly less restless movement patterns.
Furthermore, additional research from Trusted Source supports that a weighted blanket also offers benefits for sleep problems related to ADHD.
How can therapy blankets relieve anxiety and anxiety disorders in children?
One of the main applications for a weighted blanket is the treatment of anxiety disorders. Previous research has shown that deep pressure stimulation can help reduce autonomic arousal. This arousal is responsible for symptoms of anxiety such as increased heart rate.
In another study from 2008, the researchers found that using a weighted blanket reduced anxiety in about 33 percent of the 32 participants.
The researchers also explain that for some of the study participants, lying down may have also helped reduce anxiety symptoms. This shows that using a weighted blanket while lying down can further reduce anxiety symptoms.
How do therapy blankets help children with insomnia and sleep disorders?
In the crossover study by P. Gringras (2014) on autism and weighted blankets, both parents and children believed that the weighted blankets helped reduce sleep problems.
In the ADHD study Trusted Source, the weighted blankets helped reduce the time to fall asleep and the number of nighttime awakenings in the study participants.
These study results suggest a general benefit of using weighted blankets to treat sleep disorders in children.
Sources:
Weighted Blankets and Sleep in Autistic Children—A Randomized Controlled Trial, Paul Gringras et al. Aug 2014, 134 (2) 298-306; DOI: 10.1542/peds. 2013-4285
Bestbier, L., & Williams, T. I. (2017). The Immediate Effects of Deep Pressure on Young People with Autism and Severe Intellectual Difficulties: Demonstrating Individual Differences. Occupational therapy international, 2017, 7534972. https://doi.org/10.1155/2017/7534972
Use of Ball Blanket in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder sleeping problems. Hvolby A, Bilenberg N. Nord J Psychiatry. 2011 Apr;65(2):89-94. doi: 10.3109/08039488.2010.501868. Epub 2010 Jul 22.
BS, Brian & Champagne, Tina & Krishnamurty, Sundar & Dickson, Debra & Gao, Robert. (2008). Exploring the Safety and Therapeutic Effects of Deep Pressure Stimulation Using a Weighted Blanket. Occupational Therapy in Mental Health. 24. 65-89. 10.1300/J004v24n01_05.