Weighted blankets shown to reduce anxiety in hospitalized patients
New research published in the American Journal of Critical Care found that patients reported significantly lower anxiety after a short treatment session with a 15-pound (6.8-kilogram) weighted blanket. The study is unique in its setting and patient population, with no previously published studies examining the blankets' use with acutely ill, hospitalized adults.
A study published in the American Journal of Critical Care has found that weighted blankets can significantly reduce anxiety in hospitalized patients. Researchers from Saint Luke's Hospital in Kansas City conducted a small pilot study, examining the use of a 6.8-kilogram (15-pound) blanket on 54 acutely ill adults. After a 20-minute intervention involving the weighted blanket, patients reported a 3.6-point reduction in anxiety, on a 0-10 scale.
This effect was observed immediately after the blanket was used and may persist briefly afterward. While most patients found the blanket calming, some reported it being too hot or heavy.
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