Weighted blankets for sleep problems - prescription, use and cost analysis

Weighted blankets (WBs) have been suggested as a treatment option for insomnia and are commonly prescribed despite lack of evidence of efficacy.

To investigate prescription pattern, return rate and cost of WBs.

This observational cohort register-based study in western Sweden included every individual who, in a 2.5-year period, was prescribed and received at least one WB (n = 4092). A cost evaluation was made by mapping prescription processes for WBs and sleep medication.

Individuals diagnosed with dementia, anxiety, autism or intellectual disability (ID) retained the WB longer than others. Individuals younger than six and older than 65 years had shorter use time. The cost evaluation showed that the prescription process for WBs was longer and resulted in a higher cost than for sleep medication.

Some individuals had longer use time, indicating a possible benefit from using a WB. Due to low risk of harm but high economic cost, a revision of the WBs prescription process could be recommended to identify those who might benefit from WB.

Our result points towards a need for revision of the prescription process, to implement standardized sleep assessments, and create a more efficient prescription process to lower the cost.