Pilot Study of Weighted Blankets on Agitation

BACKGROUND: Hospitalized patients who have had neurological trauma often require interventions to reduce agitation. Weighted blankets deliver deep pressure touch stimulation, which influences parasympathetic activity through increased vagal tone, to induce calmness and reduce sympathetic activation and reduction of the stress response. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of weighted blankets as an intervention on agitation scores in hospitalized adults who have experienced neurologic trauma. METHOD: This was a quasi-experimental design, pilot study with a convenience sample of patients who experienced neurological trauma. Participants who met the inclusion criteria received a weighted blanket that remained in place for 30 minutes. The Agitated Behavior Scale was used to measure the effect of the weighted blanket before and after the intervention with each participant serving as their own control. RESULTS: Twelve participants were included in the study. Related-samples Wilcoxon signed rank test indicated a significant difference for heart rate ( P = .05) and Agitated Behavior Scale scores ( P = .005). There were no significant differences with blood pressure or oxygen saturation levels. CONCLUSION: This pilot study demonstrated a reduction in agitation scores with the use of a weighted blanket. The deep pressure touch stimulation provided by a weighted blanket may provide a low-risk intervention to decrease agitation and prevent escalation. Future studies with larger sample sizes may demonstrate weighted blankets to decrease agitation and provide an adjunct therapy for patients.