Changed Sleep According to Weighted Blanket Adherence in a 16-week Sleep Intervention Among Children with Attention-deficit/hyperactivity Disorder

Overview

Journal J Clin Sleep Med

Specialties Neurology
Psychiatry

Date 2024 Apr 24

PMID 38656790

Authors

Maria Lonn

Petra Svedberg

Jens Nygren

Hakan Jarbin

Katarina Aili

Ingrid Larsson

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Study Objectives: To examine differences in sample characteristics and longitudinal sleep outcomes according to weighted blanket (WB) adherence.

Methods: Children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (n = 94), mean age 9.0 (standard deviation 2.2, range 6-14) participated in a 16-week sleep intervention with WBs. Children were classified as WB adherent (use of WB ≥ 4 nights/wk) or nonadherent (use of WB ≤ 3 nights/wk). Changes in objectively measured sleep by actigraphy, parent-reported sleep problems (Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire) and child-reported Insomnia Severity Index were evaluated according to adherence with mixed effect models. Sex, age, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder subtype were examined as potential moderators.

Results: Children adherent to WBs (48/94) showed an early response in sleep outcomes and an acceptance of the WB after 4 weeks of use as well as a decrease in parent-reported (Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire) (-5.73, = .000) and child-reported (Insomnia Severity Index) (-4.29, = .005) sleep problems after 16 weeks. The improvement in sleep was larger among WB adherent vs nonadherent (between-group difference: Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire: -2.09, = .038; Insomnia Severity Index: -2.58, = .007). Total sleep time was stable for children adherent to WB but decreased for nonadherent (between-group difference: +16.90, = .019).

Conclusions: An early response in sleep and acceptance of the WB predicted later adherence to WBs. Improvements in sleep were more likely among WB adherents vs nonadherents. Children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder may thus benefit from using WBs to handle their sleep problems.

Citation: Lönn M, Svedberg P, Nygren J, Jarbin H, Aili K, Larsson I. Changed sleep according to weighted blanket adherence in a 16-week sleep intervention among children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. . 2024;20(9):1455-1466.

Citing Articles

Outcome Measures in Evaluation of Weighted Blankets: A Scoping Review.

Lonn M, Odeus E Occup Ther Int. 2025; 2025:3663534.

PMID: 40018070 PMC: 11865465. DOI: 10.1155/oti/3663534.

Weighted blankets used in pediatric sleep treatment in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and childhood maltreatment: where are we now and where are we going?.

Simmons D, Simakajornboon N J Clin Sleep Med. 2024; 20(10):1563-1566.

PMID: 39132690 PMC: 11446128. DOI: 10.5664/jcsm.11304.

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