Weighted blankets and sleep in autistic children - A randomized controlled trial

• OBJECTIVE:To assess the effectiveness of a weighted-blanket intervention in treating severe sleep problems in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).METHODS:This phase III trial was a randomized, placebo-controlled crossover design. Participants were aged between 5 years and 16 years 10 months, with a confirmed ASD diagnosis and severe sleep problems, refractory to community-based interventions. The interventions were either a commercially available weighted blanket or otherwise identical usual weight blanket (control), introduced at bedtime; each was used for a 2-week period before crossover to the other blanket. Primary outcome was total sleep time (TST) recorded by actigraphy over each 2-week period. Secondary outcomes included actigraphically recorded sleeponset latency, sleep efficiency, assessments of child behavior, family functioning, and adverse events. Sleep was also measured by using parent-report diaries.RESULTS:Seventy-three children were randomized and analysis conducted on 67 children who completed the study. Using objective measures, the weighted blanket, compared with the control blanket, did not increase TST as measured by actigraphy and adjusted for baseline TST. There were no group differences in any other objective or subjective measure of sleep, including behavioral outcomes. On subjective preference measures, parents and children favored the weighted blanket.CONCLUSIONS:The use of a weighted blanket did not help children with ASD sleep for a longer period of time, fall asleep significantly faster, or wake less often. However, the weighted blanket was favored by children and parents, and blankets were well tolerated over this period.

Ämnesord

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Pediatrik (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Pediatrics (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Autism spectrum disorder

Children

Severe sleep problems

Total sleep time

Weighted blankets

actimetry

adolescent

article

autism

child

child behavior

clinical article

controlled study

crossover procedure

disease severity

family functioning

female

group therapy

human

information processing

male

multicenter study

outcome assessment

parent

phase 3 clinical trial

preschool child

priority journal

protective equipment

randomized controlled trial

sleep disorder

sleep parameters

sleep time

weighted blanket

Actigraphy

Bedding and Linens

Child Development Disorders

Pervasive

Child

Preschool

Comorbidity

Cross-Over Studies

Equipment Design

Humans

Intention to Treat Analysis

Sleep Disorders

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