Highlights:
- Weighted blankets can be used as a safe and effective intervention in the treatment of insomnia
- Participants who used weighted blankets for 4 weeks reported reduced insomnia severity, better sleep maintenance, a higher daytime activity level and reduced symptoms pf fatigue, depression and anxiety
- Participants in the weighted blanket group were 26 times more likely to experience a 50% decrease in their insomnia severity compared to the control group
- After 12 months, 92% of weighted blanket users were responders and 78% were in remission
Insomnia patients with psychiatric disorders experienced improved sleep, reduced insomnia and less daytime sleepiness when they used a weighted chain blanket.
The study is published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine.
Listen to this article
0:00/0:00
Morning Walk Reduces Insomnia in Heart Bypass Patients
Heart bypass surgery causes insomnia and other sleep disorders in most patients and affects their ability to engage in other activities during the day. Engaging in mild aerobic exercises, especially in the morning improves the quality of sleep and functional capacity.
Heart bypass surgery causes insomnia and other sleep disorders in most patients and affects their ability to engage in other activities during the day. Engaging in mild aerobic exercises, especially in the morning improves the quality of sleep and functional capacity.
Advertisement
‘Insomnia patients with psychiatric disorders can benefit from using weighted blankets. These patients experienced reduced insomnia severity, improved sleep and less daytime sleepiness when sleeping with a weighted chain blanket.’
Tweet it Now
Insomnia
Insomnia is a sleep disorder where people have trouble falling asleep.
Insomnia can be acute or chronic. Acute insomnia lasts from a night to a few weeks, whereas chronic insomnia can occur at least 3 nights a week for 3 months or more.
![Insomnia – The New Found Side-effect of Stroke]( "Insomnia – The New Found Side-effect of Stroke")
Study Details
The study consisted of 120 adults who had been previously diagnosed with clinical insomnia.
The participants also had co-occurring psychiatric disorder such as bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
The mean age of the participants was 40 years, and 68% of them were women.
Participants were randomly made to sleep at home for four weeks using a chain-weighted blanket or a control blanket.
Participants who were part of the chain-weighted blanket group received blankets which were 8 kilograms. However, ten participants felt the 8-kilogram blanket was too heavy and instead received a 6-kilogram blanket.
Participants in the control group slept with a blanket made of a light plastic chain which was 1.5 kilograms.
Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) was used to evaluate the change in insomnia severity and the primary outcome. Wrist actigraphy was used to analyze sleep and daytime activity levels.
Study Findings
After 4 weeks of the study, almost 60% of the chain-weighted blanket group participants had a positive response with a decrease of 50% or more in their Insomnia Severity Index score when compared to 5.4% in the control group.
The weighted blanket participants also reported a significant reduction in the severity of insomnia, a higher daytime activity level, better sleep maintenance and reduced symptoms of anxiety, depression and fatigue.
The weighted blanket participants were also nearly 20 times more likely to achieve remission of their insomnia.
All the participants after 4 weeks of study, were given an option of using the weighted blanket for a 12-month follow-up phase.
The researchers tested four different weighted blankets:
Participants who shifted from the control group to the weighted blanket group also experienced similar effects as patients who were initially in the weighted blanket group.
After the 12-month follow-up phase, 92% of the weighted blanket participants were responders, and 78% were in remission.
In summary, weighted blankets are a safe and effective intervention in the treatment of insomnia.
Source: Medindia
Insomnia – The New Found Side-effect of Stroke
Insomnia is a likely long-term side effect of stroke. Research finds that stroke patients have sustained problems with sleep; they have poorer sleep with longer sleep latencies and lower sleep efficiency.
Insomnia is a likely long-term side effect of stroke. Research finds that stroke patients have sustained problems with sleep; they have poorer sleep with longer sleep latencies and lower sleep efficiency.
Advertisement
Study Details
The study consisted of 120 adults who had been previously diagnosed with clinical insomnia.
The participants also had co-occurring psychiatric disorder such as bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
The mean age of the participants was 40 years, and 68% of them were women.
Participants were randomly made to sleep at home for four weeks using a chain-weighted blanket or a control blanket.
Participants who were part of the chain-weighted blanket group received blankets which were 8 kilograms. However, ten participants felt the 8-kilogram blanket was too heavy and instead received a 6-kilogram blanket.
Participants in the control group slept with a blanket made of a light plastic chain which was 1.5 kilograms.
Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) was used to evaluate the change in insomnia severity and the primary outcome. Wrist actigraphy was used to analyze sleep and daytime activity levels.
Study Findings
After 4 weeks of the study, almost 60% of the chain-weighted blanket group participants had a positive response with a decrease of 50% or more in their Insomnia Severity Index score when compared to 5.4% in the control group.
The weighted blanket participants also reported a significant reduction in the severity of insomnia, a higher daytime activity level, better sleep maintenance and reduced symptoms of anxiety, depression and fatigue.
The weighted blanket participants were also nearly 20 times more likely to achieve remission of their insomnia.
All the participants after 4 weeks of study, were given an option of using the weighted blanket for a 12-month follow-up phase.
The researchers tested four different weighted blankets:
- Two chain blankets - 6 kilograms and 8 kilograms
- Two ball blankets - 6.5 kilograms and 7 kilograms
Participants who shifted from the control group to the weighted blanket group also experienced similar effects as patients who were initially in the weighted blanket group.
After the 12-month follow-up phase, 92% of the weighted blanket participants were responders, and 78% were in remission.
In summary, weighted blankets are a safe and effective intervention in the treatment of insomnia.
Source: Medindia
New Light Blocking Glasses may provide Relief from Insomnia
Amber tinted blue light blocking glasses may protect the eyes from harmful light-emitting electronic devices which can cause insomnia.
Amber tinted blue light blocking glasses may protect the eyes from harmful light-emitting electronic devices which can cause insomnia.
Advertisement
 Women Who are Early Risers Have Lower Risk of Breast Cancer Women who wake up early (larks) may have a lower risk of developing breast cancer compared to evening persons or night owls. Women who maintain health lifestyle, i.e., following a regular sleep schedule and duration can be at lower risk of developing breast cancer. | Advertisement
|
Advertisement
Recommended Reading
Latest Lifestyle and Wellness
Drinking simple, homemade herbal drinks can hydrate, soothe, and refresh your body as well as your mind during the sweltering days of summer.
If your nails are discolored then try these home remedies that are proven to be quite effective
If you are a vegetarian, this is your guide to getting your dose of vitamin D
Runner's itch can appear as hives and can look like huge, raised bumps on the skin. They may also appear as red spots, blotches, or blisters.
If you want to lose weight after menopause, the Galveston diet may help you by combining a natural foods diet with intermittent fasting.