How to effectively alleviate fears
Anxiety can be a huge burden for sufferers, regardless of where they are. Weighted blankets offer a promising method for dealing with this difficulty. A study from Saint Leo University examined the effect of weighted blankets on 122 patients in various wards of a psychiatric hospital.
Participants and setting: The study included 122 patients from different areas of a psychiatric facility. These units included the intensive care unit, the drug/alcohol unit, and the older adult unit. Participants were awake and oriented during the study and were eligible to participate based on various criteria, with the exception of actively psychotic patients.
Procedure: Patients were divided into two groups, with half using a weighted blanket and half using regular blankets. First, patients' pulse rates were measured and recorded, followed by answering six questions about perceived anxiety. A weighted blanket was then placed over the patient and a researcher remained present for a 20-minute period. After treatment, the questions were asked again and pulse rates were measured again.
Results: The study found a significant reduction in anxiety and heart rate in the group using weighted blankets compared to the group using regular blankets. Interestingly, age and gender of the patients did not play a role in the results, and there were no safety concerns regarding the use of weighted blankets.
Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that weighted blankets are an effective treatment for reducing anxiety in patients in psychiatric settings and outside them. The simple nature of this treatment could help improve the quality of life of patients and make treatment in psychiatric settings more effective.
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