Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 8, 2025

The Adventures of Fundi Intervention Based on the Cognitive and Emotional Processing in Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder Patients
05:48

The Adventures of Fundi Intervention Based on the Cognitive and Emotional Processing in Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder Patients

Published on: June 12, 2020

5.9K

SLEEP: intervention with weighted blankets for children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and

Ingrid Larsson1,2,3, Katarina Aili4, Jens M Nygren4

  • 1School of Health and Welfare, Halmstad University, Halmstad, Sweden ingrid.larsson@hh.se.

BMJ Open
|January 5, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Weighted blankets may improve sleep for children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This study investigated their effectiveness and cost-effectiveness, offering insights into non-pharmacological sleep interventions.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Sleep Medicine
  • Neurodevelopmental Disorders
  • Non-pharmacological Interventions

Background:

  • Children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) experience higher rates of sleep disturbances.
  • Weighted blankets are a potential non-pharmacological sleep aid for this population.
  • Existing research on weighted blanket effectiveness for pediatric ADHD sleep issues is limited.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy of weighted blankets in improving sleep in children with ADHD.
  • To assess the cost-effectiveness of weighted blankets as a sleep intervention.
  • To explore the subjective experiences of children with ADHD and their parents regarding weighted blanket use.

Main Methods:

  • A randomized, placebo-controlled crossover trial involving 100 children (aged 6-13) with ADHD and diagnosed sleep problems.
  • Comparison between weighted fiber blankets (active) and non-weighted fiber blankets (control) over 4-week periods per condition, followed by an 8-week follow-up.
  • Primary outcomes included sleep parameters and cost per quality-adjusted life years; secondary outcomes covered quality of life, ADHD symptoms, distress, and anxiety. Qualitative interviews were also conducted.

Main Results:

  • Data analysis is pending, as the study is ongoing.
  • The study is designed to provide robust evidence on the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of weighted blankets.
  • Qualitative data will offer insights into user satisfaction and adherence.

Conclusions:

  • The findings will inform clinical practice regarding non-pharmacological interventions for sleep problems in children with ADHD.
  • This research aims to establish the role of weighted blankets in managing pediatric ADHD-related sleep issues.
  • Results will contribute to understanding the patient-centered benefits and economic viability of this intervention.
Abstract

Keywords:
child & adolescent psychiatrydevelopmental neurology & neurodisabilitysleep medicine

More Related Videos

Event Related Potentials ERPs and other EEG Based Methods for Extracting Biomarkers of Brain Dysfunction: Examples from Pediatric Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder ADHD10:02

Event Related Potentials ERPs and other EEG Based Methods for Extracting Biomarkers of Brain Dysfunction: Examples from Pediatric Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder ADHD

Published on: March 12, 2020

16.0K
Author Spotlight: Traditional Chinese Medicine for Sleep Disorders in Acute COPD — A Safe, Cost-Effective Approach04:53

Author Spotlight: Traditional Chinese Medicine for Sleep Disorders in Acute COPD — A Safe, Cost-Effective Approach

Published on: October 18, 2024

975

Related Concept Videos

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder01:30

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by persistent inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. It affects approximately 5-8% of children globally, with around 60-70% of cases persisting into adulthood. ADHD has significant implications for educational attainment, social interactions, and occupational success.
Diagnostic Criteria and Symptoms
To diagnose ADHD, symptoms must manifest before age 12 and be evident across multiple settings....
415
REM Sleep Behavior Disorder01:15

REM Sleep Behavior Disorder

REM Sleep Behavior Disorder (RBD) is a sleep disorder characterized by the absence of muscle paralysis that normally occurs during the REM phase of sleep. This absence allows individuals to physically act out their dreams, which are often vivid and disturbing. Common behaviors exhibited during episodes include kicking, punching, and yelling. These actions can be dangerous, potentially leading to injuries for the person with RBD or their bed partner.
RBD is significantly associated with...
476
Substance Use Disorders Affecting Sleep01:24

Substance Use Disorders Affecting Sleep

Substance use disorders involve a pattern of using drugs more extensively than intended and continuing use despite harmful consequences. This includes legal substances like alcohol and nicotine, as well as illegal drugs. These disorders often involve both physical and psychological dependence, reflecting compulsive use of substances that significantly alter thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, contributing to a major public health issue.
Understanding the concepts of physical dependence,...
235
Blind Procedures02:07

Blind Procedures

Ideally, the people who observe and record the children’s behavior are unaware of who was assigned to the experimental or control group, in order to control for experimenter bias. Experimenter bias refers to the possibility that a researcher’s expectations might skew the results of the study. Remember, conducting an experiment requires a lot of planning, and the people involved in the research project have a vested interest in supporting their hypotheses. If the observers knew which...
12.4K
Management of Insomnia01:19

Management of Insomnia

The sleep cycle, an integral part of human health, consists of several stages with distinct characteristics and functions. It begins with a transition from wakefulness to sleep, known as the light sleep phase, followed by the restorative deep sleep phase, essential for physical recovery and growth. The cycle concludes with the Rapid Eye Movement (REM) phase, characterized by high brain activity and vivid dreaming. Insomnia, a prevalent sleep disorder, involves difficulty falling asleep, staying...
336