Who could benefit from weighted blankets?

When it’s cold outside, do you curl up under a pile of heavy blankets to keep warm? Could there be an added benefit to these heavy blankets?

Weighted blankets are therapeutic blankets first used by occupational therapists to help certain groups of individuals sleep better. This was because the weighted blankets are proposed to mimic a technique called deep pressure stimulation or pressure therapy.

Manufacturers suggest that the weighted blankets should be about 10% of an individual’s own body weight. Thus, they generally are between about 2kg and 13kg (about 5lbs to 30lbs). To make them have this weight, they may contain plastic pellets, ball bearings, sand, or other materials. While many may lead to an individual feeling warm, some of the blankets are designed in order to be more breathable and thus can be used in warmer months and not just when it is colder.

Who may benefit from a weighted blanket?

One of the main areas for use in for those with anxiety, ADHD, depression, or bipolar disorder. One study observed that after just 4 weeks of use, individuals with insomnia and certain psychiatric disorders (major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) had improved sleep outcomes.

Additionally, they may also help relieve chronic pain, especially in those with higher levels of anxiety.

Weighted blankets have also been researched in children and adolescents (aged 5 to 16) with autism spectrum disorder who have sleep difficulties. However, no significant benefit was observed when looking at sleep latency, nightly awakenings, or total sleep time. However, another study in two four-year-olds with autism and sleep disturbances did find benefit from using a weight blanket. Thus, it may help some but not others.

What about in adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or autism? Not surprisingly, it may help some adults to fall asleep and stay asleep, but not all adults may benefit. The weighted blankets may also help those with dementia having a calming effect.

Will it help in those without anxiety, ADHD, autism, or chronic pain? The research into the benefits of weighted blankets is just starting, and we don’t have the answer to this yet. However, those with anxiety or difficulty falling asleep may have some benefit. Additionally, the physiological changes within the body have not been elucidated, but it’s been speculated that their use may lead to changes in hormones involved in sleep regulation and the HPA axis such as cortisol.

Who should not use a weighted blanket?

Weighted blankets should not be used by young children or those with developmental disabilities as they can increase risk for suffocation. Not should adults who do not have the ability to move the head away from the blanket or lift the blanket from on top of them.

Those with cats or dogs who like to sleep under the covers may also want to use it with precaution, or when using one have the companion animal sleep elsewhere.

References:

• Weighted Blanket Use: A Systematic Review. Eron et al., 2020. Am J Occup Ther.
• A randomized controlled study of weighted chain blankets for insomnia in psychiatric disorders. Ekholm, Spulber, and Adler, 2020. J Clin Sleep Med.
• Widespread Pressure Delivered by a Weighted Blanket Reduces Chronic Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Baumgartner et al., 2021. J Pain.
• Practice guideline: Treatment for insomnia and disrupted sleep behavior in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder. Williams Buckley et al., 2020. Neurology.
• A case of effective usage of a weighted blanket for a person with severe dementia. Nakamura and Yamauchi, 2021. Psychogeriatrics.

Updated on: 29/10/2026