Deep pressure simulation works by applying hands-on pressure to relax the nervous system which, in turn, may help alleviate pain and anxiety. Height is also a bit of a factor when it comes to selecting the right sized weighted blanket. You may also want to look out for weighted blankets that have been specifically designed for children. Children under the age of three, pregnant women and anybody with a respiratory or chronic medical condition should steer clear of using weighted blankets due to the potential risk of suffocation.
It should never feel like it's trapping or crushing you. If in doubt, check with your GP before buying one. One of the main, widely-reported benefits of weighted blankets is that they provide deep pressure therapy. Their ability to help calm the body and reduce anxiety has also been linked to helping with several conditions, including: Some weighted blankets also include polyester fiberfill, which adds warmth.
FYI — cotton is the coolest option. Some blankets are filled with plastic pellets, which are larger and tend to make bulkier blankets. Meanwhile, other manufacturers may use glass beads, which are smaller than plastic pellets. On the other hand, plastic pellets are cheaper for manufacturers to use.
Those in the weighted blanket group found relief, particularly if they also lived with anxiety. The weighted blankets did not reduce levels of pain intensity, though. A study experimented with using weighted blankets on participants undergoing wisdom tooth extraction. The weighted blanket participants experienced lower anxiety symptoms than the control group. The researchers performed a similar follow-up study on adolescents using a weighted blanket during a molar extraction.
Those results also found less anxiety with the use of a weighted blanket. Since medical procedures tend to cause anxiety symptoms like increased heart rate , using weighted blankets may be beneficial in calming those symptoms.
In addition to the existing research, there are a number of recent promising studies that provide even more evidence weighted blankets can offer relief from physical pain or symptoms of other conditions.
A study by Swedish researchers found weighted blankets improved sleep in people with major depressive disorder , bipolar disorder , generalized anxiety disorder , and ADHD. In the study, people received either a light blanket or a weighted chain blanket.
After 4 weeks, those who used the weighted blanket had less insomnia and reduced fatigue, depression, or anxiety during the day. A study , also performed by Swedish researchers, found weighted blankets helped adults and children with autism spectrum disorder or ADHD to fall asleep and stay asleep. The participants included 48 children and 37 adults who found it easier to relax during the day while using weighted blankets for sleep.
A study included 28 participants with trouble falling and staying asleep. With the use of a weighted blanket over 6 weeks, there were self-reported improvements in sleeping through the night, sleep quality, and getting to sleep faster.
A study by Florida researchers measured the effects of weighted blankets on people in an inpatient psychiatric facility. Of the participants, the 61 who chose to use a weighted blanket had objectively lower rates of anxiety than the 61 who did not. Although these studies are of small groups of people, they do support the anecdotal experience of many who say weighted blankets can help relieve physical pain, reduce anxiety, and improve sleep.
Always consult your pediatrician before trying a weighted blanket for your child. Weighted blankets are a type of at-home measure that can provide similar benefits to deep pressure therapy. These blankets have shown positive results for several conditions, including autism, ADHD, and anxiety.
They can help calm a restless body, reduce feelings of anxiety, and improve sleep troubles. Weighted blankets can be beneficial for sleep disorders as well as anxiety and restless leg syndrome. But what size blanket should you buy to maximize…. Could this weighted blanket be the miracle cure to my painful nights of tossing and turning for hours on end?
Jamie Friedlander's anxiety caused a lot of sleep problems. So, she set out to see if a gravity blanket would help her get a more peaceful night's…. Take a look at the connection between ADHD and sleep disorders.
Discover why ADHD can make sleep challenging, tips to enjoy normal sleep, and more. Does worrying put a damper on your day? Try these techniques to free yourself. However, the authors note that further research is necessary to determine how weighted blankets may produce this effect and whether they are effective in clinical practice.
According to a review , there is a correlation between depression and low levels of the hormone oxytocin. This hormone is involved in providing the positive sensations associated with love and social bonding.
A review notes that light pressure on the skin may trigger the release of oxytocin. Therefore, it is possible that using a weighted blanket may help with some of the symptoms of depression.
However, further research is necessary to explore this theory. Children with autism spectrum disorder ASD can experience severe sleeping difficulties.
A study investigated the effectiveness of a weighted blanket in treating sleeping difficulties among children with ASD. Each participant used either a weighted blanket or an unweighted blanket for 2 weeks before switching to the alternative blanket for another 2 weeks.
The researchers concluded that the weighted blanket did not significantly improve sleep duration or quality compared with the unweighted blanket. However, children with ASD and their parents preferred the weighted blanket.
There is very little scientific research exploring the effects of weighted blankets on children with ASD. However, a review suggests that weighted vests, which work in a similar way, may improve attention in children with ASD.
Children with ADHD may experience difficulty falling asleep. Anecdotal claims suggest that weighted blankets provide sensory feedback that helps promote calm and improve sleep in children with ADHD. A review investigated whether the use of a weighted blanket could improve sleep in children with ADHD. Due to the lack of research into this area, the review consisted of a single study from The authors of the review note that further research is necessary to examine the potential benefits of weighted blankets for children with ADHD.
Insomnia is a condition in which a person has difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep. The condition typically results in daytime sleepiness , reduced energy levels, and negative changes in mood. A study found that the use of a weighted blanket improved sleep duration in participants with insomnia.
Participants also reported that the weighted blanket improved their ability to get to sleep and made them feel more refreshed the following morning. However, a systematic review suggests that there is currently insufficient evidence to determine whether weighted blankets are useful for people with insomnia. Restless leg syndrome RLS is a condition in which a person experiences an overwhelming urge to move their legs. There is some anecdotal evidence that weighted blankets may help lessen the symptoms of RLS.
However, there is currently no scientific evidence to support this claim.
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