Positive Effects of a Weighted Blanket on Insomnia

https://www.jscimedcentral.com/SleepMedicine/sleepmedicine-2-1022.pdf

Abstract
Insomnia is a common occurrence and can have a negative impact on physiological,
psychological and social well-being. There is a need for simple, effective solutions to
increase  sleep  quality.  It  has  been  suggested  that  weighted  blankets  and  vests  can
provide a beneficial calming effect, especially in clinical disorders. Hence, we aimed
to investigate the effects of a chain weighted blanket on insomnia, using objective and
subjective measures. Objectively, we found that sleep bout time increased, as well as a
decrease in movements of the participants, during weighted blanket use. Subjectively,
the participants liked sleeping with the blanket, found it easier to settle down to sleep
and had an improved sleep, where they felt more refreshed in the morning. Overall, we
found that when the participants used the weighted blanket, they had a calmer night’s
sleep. A weighted blanket may aid in reducing insomnia through altered tactile inputs,
thus may provide an innovative, non-pharmacological approach and complementary
tool to improve sleep quality.