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Feasibility, acceptability, and perceived effectiveness of weighted blankets during paediatric dental care
Leah I Stein Duker1, Riley McGuire1, Jocelyn Hernandez1
1Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy at the Ostrow School of Dentistry, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA.
Insights
Weighted blankets are feasible and acceptable for children during dental visits, according to caregivers and dentists. This intervention may improve the overall dental care experience for pediatric patients.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Dentistry
- Behavioral Science
- Occupational Therapy
Background:
- Weighted blankets provide deep pressure touch, known for calming effects on the nervous system.
- Previous studies indicate benefits in stressful situations for adolescents and adults, and safety in hospital/home settings for children.
- The use of weighted blankets in pediatric dental settings remained unexamined.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the feasibility, acceptability, and perceived effectiveness of using weighted blankets in pediatric dental care.
- To gather insights from children, caregivers, and dentists on their experiences with weighted blankets during dental appointments.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study design was employed.
- Surveys were administered to 20 children, 20 caregivers, and 9 dentists regarding their experience with weighted blankets.
- Data collected focused on feasibility, acceptability, and perceived effectiveness of the intervention.
Main Results:
- Caregivers and dentists reported high feasibility, acceptability, and appropriateness of weighted blankets (mean scores ≥ 4.70).
- All participant groups expressed enthusiasm and perceived improved care, with high ratings for potential future use (mean scores ≥ 4.10).
- Minimal problems were reported during the use of weighted blankets.
Conclusions:
- The findings support the use of weighted blankets as a feasible and acceptable intervention in routine, noninvasive pediatric dental care.
- Weighted blankets show promise for enhancing the dental experience for children.
- Further research may explore broader applications and specific benefits in pediatric dentistry.
Background:
Weighted blankets are one method to provide deep pressure touch sensations, which are associated with a calming effect on the nervous system. Weighted blankets have been reported to elicit a calming effect during stressful dental encounters and routine prophylactic visits in older adolescents and adults. Preliminary research suggests that weighted blankets are safe and feasible for children in both hospital and home settings; this, however, has not yet been examined in a paediatric dental environment.
Aim:
To examine the feasibility, acceptability, and perceived effectiveness of a weighted blanket during paediatric dental care.
Design:
This cross-sectional study examined child, caregiver, and dentist-reported responses to survey questions asking about their experience with the weighted blanket during care (n = 20 each per child and caregiver group, n = 9 dentists).
Results:
The use of a weighted blanket is feasible, acceptable, and appropriate as reported by caregivers and dentists (means ≥ 4.70 on the Feasibility of Intervention, Acceptability of Intervention, and Intervention Appropriateness Measures). Few problems were described, and all groups overwhelmingly responded with enthusiasm, noted the blanket's potential for future use, and perceived that a weighted blanket improved care (means ≥ 4.10).
Conclusions:
Study findings support the feasibility and acceptability of using a weighted blanket during routine, noninvasive paediatric dental care.
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