Weighted Blankets to Reduce Anxiety in Hospitalized Patients

Abstract

Background Weighted blankets are used to help bring calm and promote sleep. Research has shown that the use of weighted blankets can alleviate stress and anxiety, but studies have not been conducted in acutely ill, hospitalized patients. Objective To determine the effectiveness of the use of a 15-pound (6.75-kg) weighted blanket in reducing self-reported anxiety in adult hospitalized patients. Methods This study involved a convenience sample of 54 patients admitted to a Midwestern academic medical center. It used a randomized, crossover design consisting of 2 back-to-back, 20-minute treatment periods. Participants were randomly assigned to receive a weighted blanket intervention in either the first or the second period, with usual care during the alternate period. Participants rated their anxiety on a scale of 0 to 10 before randomization, at the end of each treatment period, and then again 60 minutes after the beginning of the intervention. A linear mixed-effects model was fit to evaluate the effect of the weighted blanket intervention on anxiety ratings. Results During the first treatment period, the use of the weighted blanket intervention was associated with a 3.6-point lower mean anxiety rating compared with usual care (95% CI, −4.7 to −2.5). The effects of weighted blanket use persisted after the blanket was removed. Conclusion This study demonstrated that use of a weighted blanket is an effective nonpharmacologic therapeutic intervention for hospitalized patients experiencing anxiety.