Study (2021): The use of therapy blankets in severe dementia
Half of all people with dementia suffer from sleep disorders. These include a reversed sleep rhythm and nighttime wandering. In a study from Japan, the effect of a weighted blanket as a non-medication therapy was investigated in an 81-year-old woman with dementia. The study participant, who was diagnosed with severe Alzheimer's and requires around-the-clock care, suffered from severe sleep disturbances. By using a 6 kg weighted blanket over five months, her nighttime sleep duration was increased. Nighttime wandering decreased, hallucinations disappeared, and there was even an improvement in the care level. Due to the improved nighttime rest, the woman was able to participate more actively in life during the day and engage in activities. The study thus provides indications that a weighted blanket can alleviate behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia.
Source:
Nakamura, M., & Yamauchi, N. (2021). A case of effective usage of a weighted blanket for a person with severe dementia. Psychogeriatrics: the official journal of the Japanese Psychogeriatric Society, 21(2), 239–242. https://doi.org/10.1111/psyg.12656