Researchers are studying weighted blankets in clinical settings to determine if there is a measurable effect for these popular consumer products, and whether HCPs can confidently recommend them to their patients for certain purposes and conditions.

Because sleep is such an important component of overall health, the nonpharmacologic approach to enhancing sleep offered by weighted blankets would be a welcome alternative to pharmacologic solutions. 

 

Scientific basis of weighted blankets

 

The clinical effect of weighted blankets is based on the theory of deep pressure therapy, according to Swedish researchers writing in Geriatrics.

Hjort Telhede E, Arvidsson S, Karlsson S, et al. Weighted blankets’ effect on the health of older people living in nursing homes. Geriatrics (Basel). 2022;7(4):79.

Deep pressure therapy is related to the theory of sensory integration, both of which involve how sensory stimuli are processed in the brain.

 

To investigate these theories about the effects of weighted blankets, a study done in Sweden and published in the Journal of Sleep Research looked at whether weighted blankets produced higher salivary concentrations of melatonin and oxytocin than with a light blanket.

Meth EMS, Brandão LEM, van Egmond LT, et al. A weighted blanket increases pre‐sleep salivary concentrations of melatonin in young, healthy adults. Journal of Sleep Research. 2022;32(2):e13743.

The analysis also compared potential differences in salivary concentrations of cortisol, subjective sleepiness, and sleep duration. 

 

The results showed that with use of a weighted blanket, the 1-hour increase of salivary melatonin from baseline was 32% higher than without the weighted blanket. The other parameters assessed did not produce any significant differences. 

The authors caution that it is not yet clear whether the increase in melatonin is therapeutically relevant, but these results are encouraging.

 

Use in nursing homes 

 

The Swedish researchers publishing in Geriatrics reported on their study, which investigated the effect of weighted blankets on older people in nursing homes. Variables they assessed included overall QoL, sleep, nutrition, cognition, activities of daily living, and medication needs. 

The weighted blankets used for the study were durable and fireproof; hygiene covers were not used due to the risk of suffocation (see “Pediatric cautions” below). The intervention period was 28 days. 

In general, the study found that overall QoL improved, and sleep improved significantly, especially with regard to waking up during the night. All of the other factors improved as well, including cognition and nutrition. 

 

The authors stated that these learnings could potentially reduce the need for medications in nursing home residents, which is an advantage, because the combination of multi-morbidities and polypharmacy in older people can lead to adverse effects.

 

Alternative to protective stabilization in pediatric dentistry

 

A retrospective cross-sectional study done in the US and published in Pediatric Dentistry evaluated pediatric dental sedation records after 6-pound, lead-free weighted blankets were introduced into the dental clinic.

McBeain M, Malone S, Jones RS. Weighted blanket use as an alternative to protective stabilization during moderate sedation. Pediatric Dentistry. 2022;44(5):340–344.

Investigators compared clinical outcomes before and after the blankets were used. 

 

The results showed that the need for protective stabilization decreased, from 78.7% before the blankets to 32.8% after the blankets were used. The results were not predicated on BMI, sex, or treatment amount. The authors suggest that other pediatric dental clinics should consider using weighted blankets as an alternative to protective stabilization. 

 

Pediatric cautions

 

While all of these clinical benefits are encouraging, there is a reason for parents to be cautious using weighted blankets at home for children. The US Consumer Products Safety Commission issued a recall for a particular brand of weighted blanket that was marketed to parents of young children.

United States Consumer Product Safety Commission. Target Recalls Children’s Pillowfort Weighted Blankets Due to Asphyxiation Hazard; Two Fatalities Reported. December 22, 2022.

Two children, a 4-year-old and a 6-year-old, reportedly became trapped in the cover of a weighted blanket and died due to asphyxia. 

 

Most weighted blankets, however, do not have zipped covers.