{
  "id": 4913085,
  "title": "Weighted blankets shown to reduce anxiety in hospitalized patients",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/01/weighted-blankets-shown-to-reduce-anxiety-in-hospitalized-patients",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-09-01T18:20:04.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Medical Xpress",
    "slug": "medical-xpress",
    "url": "https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-09-weighted-blankets-shown-anxiety-hospitalized.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "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.",
  "summary": "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.",
  "key_points": [
    "Weighted blankets reduced anxiety in 54 hospitalized adults",
    "3.6-point decrease in anxiety scale after 20-minute intervention",
    "Most patients found blanket calming, some reported discomfort"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}