Emily Chan
“Adults who used the blankets reported better sleep, reduced use of sleep medications, and even improvements in mood and pain management.”
But with children, the results were much more varied. There were limited improvements in sleep for children with conditions such as ADHD or autism spectrum disorder.
Still, some parents had positive reports. They noticed that their kids seemed less anxious, more relaxed, and more focused during daily activities when a weighted blanket was used at night.
A 2023 study in Sweden linked the use of weighted blankets to increased melatonin production. The Swedish researchers found that when a group of 26 young adults with no history of sleep problems used a weighted blanket at night, their bodies produced more melatonin compared to sleeping with a regular blanket.
The researchers of the most recent study noted that children and adults with cognitive difficulties should use blankets they can easily remove themselves. The next step in weighted blanket research is to establish clearer guidelines for their use.
Further studies need to be done to learn more about the effects of weighted blankets. Dawson is currently finishing up a project about using weighted blankets for people with dementia.
The details of the study were published in the American Journal of Occupational Therapy.
