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

Area of Science:

• Occupational therapy
• Sleep medicine
• Health economics

Background:

• Weighted blankets (WBs) are frequently prescribed for insomnia despite limited evidence of effectiveness.
• The study addresses the lack of data regarding WB prescription patterns, return rates, and associated costs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the prescription patterns, return rates, and economic costs of weighted blankets.
• To compare the prescription process of WBs with that of traditional sleep medication.

Main Methods:

• An observational, register-based cohort study was conducted in western Sweden.
• Data included 4092 individuals prescribed at least one WB over a 2.5-year period.
• Cost evaluation involved mapping prescription pathways for WBs and sleep medications.

Main Results:

• Individuals with dementia, anxiety, autism, or intellectual disability (ID) retained WBs longer.
• Shorter WB usage was observed in children under six and adults over 65.
• WB prescriptions incurred higher costs and longer processing times compared to sleep medications.

Conclusions:

• While some patient groups show longer retention, indicating potential benefits, the high economic cost necessitates a review of the WB prescription process.
• Implementing standardized sleep assessments and streamlining the prescription pathway could reduce costs and identify appropriate candidates for WB therapy.