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. 2023 Feb 14:2023:1945290.
doi: 10.1155/2023/1945290. eCollection 2023.

Experiences of Using Weighted Blankets among Children with ADHD and Sleeping Difficulties

Maria Lönn  1   2 , Katarina Aili  3 , Petra Svedberg  1 , Jens Nygren  1 , Håkan Jarbin  4   5 , Ingrid Larsson  1
Affiliations

Experiences of Using Weighted Blankets among Children with ADHD and Sleeping Difficulties

Maria Lönn et al. Occup Ther Int. .

Abstract

Introduction: Sleeping difficulties are common in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). A sleep intervention with weighted blankets was designed to increase current understanding of using weighted blankets to target children's individual needs in connection with sleep and daytime functioning.

Aim: To explore how children with ADHD and sleeping difficulties experience the use of weighted blankets.

Methods: An explorative qualitative design in which 26 children with ADHD and sleeping difficulties, 6-15 years old, were interviewed about a sleep intervention with weighted blankets. Four categories emerged from qualitative content analysis.

Results: Children's experiences revealed that the use of weighted blankets 1) requires a commitment, by adjusting according to needs and preferences and adapting to the environment; 2) improves emotional regulation by feeling calm and feeling safe; 3) changes sleeping patterns by creating new routines for sleep and improving sleep quality; and 4) promotes everyday participation by promoting daily function and balancing activity and sleep.

Conclusions: Using weighted blankets promoted children's management of daily life with ADHD and sleeping difficulties. Occupational therapists can improve the assessment and delivery of weighted blankets tailored to individual needs based on increased knowledge from the children themselves.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest regarding the publication of this article.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Study design of sleep intervention with weighted blankets and recruitment of participants for interviews.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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