How Weighted Blankets Can Help with ADHD and Autism
Difficulty falling asleep, restless sleep and constant restlessness are typical symptoms of ADHD and autism. A study by the Swedish Linköping University has found out how weighted blankets can help with these problems.
Participants: A total of 85 people participated in the study, including 43 men and 42 women. Most were children aged 7-17 years. They were selected because they had previously received a weighted blanket to treat sleep problems associated with ADHD and/or ASD.
Fig. 1: Overview of the participant composition
Procedure: The main reasons for using the weighted blankets were difficulty falling asleep (81.2%), staying asleep (65.9%), and relaxing during the day (10.6%). Most participants (78%) used the blanket every night, with some also using it during the day (24%) to relax or during certain activities such as watching TV or reading. Telephone interviews were conducted to assess the impact of the weighted blanket. The interview included 15 questions and looked at various aspects, such as sleep quality, daily routines, and self-care.
Results: The results of the study were extremely positive. 81% of participants reported positive effects on their sleep, both when falling asleep and sleeping through the night. Another 26% said they woke up feeling relaxed and refreshed. But the weighted blankets didn't just have an effect on their sleep. 45% noticed significant improvements in their daily morning and evening routines. For 16% of participants, using them even led to improvements in their school or work performance.
Fig. 2: improved areas after using the weighted blanket according to participants
Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that the use of a weighted blanket may be an effective treatment option for people with ADHD and/or autism. The positive effect of the weighted blankets on participants' sleep and daily routines shows how it can improve the daily lives of these people.
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Baenny cotton weighted blanket
