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Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 25, 2025

Reducing State Anxiety Using Working Memory Maintenance
Published on: July 19, 2017
Using weighted blankets in an inpatient mental health hospital to decrease anxiety.
Annette L Becklund1, Lisa Rapp-McCall2, Jessica Nudo2
1Annette L Becklund, MSW, LCSW & Associates LLC, PO Box 3870, Spring Hill, FL 34611, USA.
Weighted blankets significantly reduced anxiety and pulse rates in psychiatric patients. This safe, non-pharmacological intervention offers a patient-centered approach to managing anxiety in inpatient settings.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Mental Health Treatment
- Clinical Psychology
Background:
- Involuntary commitment to psychiatric facilities can increase patient anxiety.
- Traditional interventions like medication, seclusion, and restraints may not be patient-centered or trauma-informed.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of weighted blankets in reducing anxiety symptoms in psychiatric patients.
- To compare anxiety levels and pulse rates before and after weighted blanket use versus a control group.
Main Methods:
- A study involving psychiatric patients (not actively psychotic) in an inpatient facility.
- Participants chose between weighted blankets (14-lb, 20-lb, or 5-lb lap pad) or unweighted blankets for a 20-minute intervention.
- Anxiety (Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, STAI: Y-6) and pulse rates were measured pre- and post-intervention.
Main Results:
- A statistically significant reduction in anxiety (STAI: Y-6 scores) and pulse rates was observed in the weighted blanket group compared to the control group.
- The weighted blanket intervention showed a significant interaction effect between time and group (P < 0.001).
- Neither gender nor blanket weight significantly impacted anxiety or pulse rate reduction within the weighted blanket group.
Conclusions:
- Weighted blankets are a safe and potentially effective non-pharmacological intervention for managing anxiety in psychiatric inpatients.
- This method offers a patient-centered, trauma-supported alternative to traditional restrictive interventions.
- Further research supports weighted blankets as a valuable tool in psychiatric care settings.

