The effect of weighted blankets on sleep quality and related disorders: A review

Sleep disorders such as insomnia can lead to a range of health problems. The high risk of side effects and drug abuse of traditional pharmacotherapy calls for a safer non-pharmacotherapy. Thus, this narrative review aimed to examine the use and efficacy of weighted blankets on improving sleep quality and related disorders in different populations and explore the possible mechanisms. A literature search was conducted using PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, MEDLINE, Cochrane Library and CNKI databases up to March 10, 2023. Eligible studies included a sleep intervention with weighted blankets and outcomes that assessed the sleep quality and related disorders. Studies using other deep pressure, compression, or exercise-related interventions were excluded. Most of the included studies showed that weighted blankets could effectively improve sleep quality and alleviate negative emotions in patients with sleep disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, autism spectrum disorder, and other related disorders, with a possible mechanism of deep pressure touch. Weighted blankets might be a promising tool for sleep interventions among individuals with sleep disorders in clinical settings. More high-quality and large-scale randomized controlled trials are needed to further validate the safety and efficacy of weighted blankets and explore precise mechanisms.