Experiences of Using Weighted Blankets among Children with ADHD and Sleeping Difficulties

Introduction. Sleeping difficulties are common in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). A sleep intervention with weighted blankets was designed to increase current understanding of using weighted blankets to target children’s individual needs in connection with sleep and da...

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Main Authors: Maria Lönn, Katarina Aili, Petra Svedberg, Jens Nygren, Håkan Jarbin, Ingrid Larsson
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2023-01-01
Series:Occupational Therapy International
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2023/1945290
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author Maria Lönn
Katarina Aili
Petra Svedberg
Jens Nygren
Håkan Jarbin
Ingrid Larsson
author_facet Maria Lönn
Katarina Aili
Petra Svedberg
Jens Nygren
Håkan Jarbin
Ingrid Larsson
author_sort Maria Lönn
collection DOAJ
description Introduction. Sleeping difficulties are common in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). A sleep intervention with weighted blankets was designed to increase current understanding of using weighted blankets to target children’s individual needs in connection with sleep and daytime functioning. Aim. To explore how children with ADHD and sleeping difficulties experience the use of weighted blankets. Methods. An explorative qualitative design in which 26 children with ADHD and sleeping difficulties, 6–15 years old, were interviewed about a sleep intervention with weighted blankets. Four categories emerged from qualitative content analysis. Results. Children’s experiences revealed that the use of weighted blankets 1) requires a commitment, by adjusting according to needs and preferences and adapting to the environment; 2) improves emotional regulation by feeling calm and feeling safe; 3) changes sleeping patterns by creating new routines for sleep and improving sleep quality; and 4) promotes everyday participation by promoting daily function and balancing activity and sleep. Conclusions. Using weighted blankets promoted children’s management of daily life with ADHD and sleeping difficulties. Occupational therapists can improve the assessment and delivery of weighted blankets tailored to individual needs based on increased knowledge from the children themselves.
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series Occupational Therapy International
spelling doaj-art-613c848ccf884561951cbdf2d18cc26c2025-08-20T03:34:57ZengWileyOccupational Therapy International1557-07032023-01-01202310.1155/2023/1945290Experiences of Using Weighted Blankets among Children with ADHD and Sleeping DifficultiesMaria Lönn0Katarina Aili1Petra Svedberg2Jens Nygren3Håkan Jarbin4Ingrid Larsson5Department of Health and CareDepartment of Health and SportDepartment of Health and CareDepartment of Health and CareDepartment of Child and Adolescent PsychiatryDepartment of Health and CareIntroduction. Sleeping difficulties are common in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). A sleep intervention with weighted blankets was designed to increase current understanding of using weighted blankets to target children’s individual needs in connection with sleep and daytime functioning. Aim. To explore how children with ADHD and sleeping difficulties experience the use of weighted blankets. Methods. An explorative qualitative design in which 26 children with ADHD and sleeping difficulties, 6–15 years old, were interviewed about a sleep intervention with weighted blankets. Four categories emerged from qualitative content analysis. Results. Children’s experiences revealed that the use of weighted blankets 1) requires a commitment, by adjusting according to needs and preferences and adapting to the environment; 2) improves emotional regulation by feeling calm and feeling safe; 3) changes sleeping patterns by creating new routines for sleep and improving sleep quality; and 4) promotes everyday participation by promoting daily function and balancing activity and sleep. Conclusions. Using weighted blankets promoted children’s management of daily life with ADHD and sleeping difficulties. Occupational therapists can improve the assessment and delivery of weighted blankets tailored to individual needs based on increased knowledge from the children themselves.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2023/1945290
spellingShingle Maria Lönn
Katarina Aili
Petra Svedberg
Jens Nygren
Håkan Jarbin
Ingrid Larsson
Experiences of Using Weighted Blankets among Children with ADHD and Sleeping Difficulties
Occupational Therapy International
title Experiences of Using Weighted Blankets among Children with ADHD and Sleeping Difficulties
title_full Experiences of Using Weighted Blankets among Children with ADHD and Sleeping Difficulties
title_fullStr Experiences of Using Weighted Blankets among Children with ADHD and Sleeping Difficulties
title_full_unstemmed Experiences of Using Weighted Blankets among Children with ADHD and Sleeping Difficulties
title_short Experiences of Using Weighted Blankets among Children with ADHD and Sleeping Difficulties
title_sort experiences of using weighted blankets among children with adhd and sleeping difficulties
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2023/1945290
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