Weighted Blanket Therapy to treat anxiety and sensory defensiveness in adults

Mari · 09-29-2011, 02:55 PM

Hi,

Sometimes Weighted Blankets help children with sensory issues.
I found this study about how the blankets can lesson anxiety in adults:
http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/1.../J004v24n01_05
Exploring the Safety and Therapeutic Effects of Deep Pressure Stimulation Using a Weighted Blanket

Quote:

This paper presents the results of a concurrent, nested, mixed methods exploratory study on the safety and effectiveness of the use of a 30 lb weighted blanket with a convenience sample of 32 adults. [. . .]
63% reported lower anxiety after use, and 78% preferred the weighted blanket as a calming modality. The results of this study will be used to form the basis for subsequent research on the therapeutic influence of the weighted blanket with adults during an acute inpatient mental health admission.

This review of studies is about how people with "sensory defensiveness" spend a great deal of energy compensating.
The assessment and treatment of sensory defensiveness in adult mental health: a literature review
http://www.ingentaconnect.com/conten...00005/art00005

Quote:

The aim of this literature review was to explore the nature of the relationship between sensory defensiveness and mental health problems. [. . .]
The literature indicated that sensory defensiveness can have a detrimental effect on quality of life experiences. It can have an impact on functional abilities, behaviour, emotions and mental health. The coping strategies that people develop to deal with sensory defensiveness add to the negative impact on their quality of life.
From the limited literature available, it was found that the treatment of sensory defensiveness delivered positive results. This review highlights the importance of recognising and treating sensory defensiveness. It also highlights the lack of literature available in this area. The implications for occupational therapy practice include further extensive research to improve knowledge and experience in the assessment and treatment of sensory defensiveness in mental health setting

I hide from people, places, projects, (work, the phone, the shower, driving, . . . )
I don't think that pdocs and tdocs are aware of our difficulties with stimuli and how we compensate.

M

09-29-2011, 04:17 PM

This is on a much smaller scale, but I love my sleeping bag at home--often sleep in it on my zero-gravity chair in my "middle" room, a bonus room, no windows, closets, just in dead center of condo. I'm on the 2nd of 3 floors. With its door tightly shut, it's as 0-stimuli as I can get.