Study (2020): Weighted blankets and sleep medication consumption in adults with psychiatric diagnosis

Sleep problems are ubiquitous among patients with psychiatric disorders. There are various treatment methods for insomnia, including psychoeducation, pharmacological treatment, and behavioral therapy, with medication treatment being the most commonly used. In 2019, nearly one in ten people over 15 years old received at least one prescription for hypnotics and sedatives. Since sleep problems are so widespread, it is important to develop and implement effective treatment methods that carry minimal risk of adverse events and are based on scientific evidence. Tactile stimulation, such as through weighted blankets, is a non-invasive approach that has gained attention in recent years. 

The aim of this study was to examine intra-individual changes in the use of sleep aids by medication category, age, gender, and diagnosis, as well as changes in the prevalence of substance use disorders (SUD) after the prescription of a weighted blanket. Additionally, an analysis of the rate of diagnosed substance use disorders was conducted to control whether patients were primarily prescribed weighted blankets due to excessive substance use.

This is a register-based observational study using administrative data on the use of weighted blankets prescribed in the Västra Götaland region, Sweden, between May 2015 and December 2017. An intra-individual comparison was conducted, where each person served as their own control. Measures before the prescription were collected from register data 365 days prior to the weighted blanket prescription, and measures after the prescription were collected from register data during a period of 365 days following a so-called wash-out phase of 180 days.

In summary, this observational study shows that the prescription rate for common sleep medications has decreased alongside the prescription of weighted blankets, except for an increase in melatonin. The decline was particularly pronounced among younger patients and those diagnosed with unipolar depression, anxiety, PTSD, or ADHD.

About the study

Source: