There have been very few scientific studies completed on weighted blankets and a few on weighted vests. The results found in the weighted vest studies and the guidelines that followed were often used early on by professionals in how the recommended the use in weighted blankets.As the years went on and weighted product use became more well known  a few studies on weighted blankets were completed. These weighted blanket studies were done on adults with blanket weights ranging in the 20 to 30 pound range. They found that weighted blankets did have a therapeutic calming effect in these patients to the degree that traditional restraints often used with these types of patients were no longer needed.

The weighted vest study recommended a vest should be used for 20 minutes and then taken off. The 20 minute rule became recommendation because that was the length of time a weighted vest was used in the study. Had the vest stayed on for two hours in the study, perhaps that would have been the recommendation, it is hard to say for sure.

Some professionals simply carried over the weighted vest recommendation on how a weighted blanket should be used, most do not use those guidelines today.

A weighted blanket for sleep should be used at bedtime and kept on , without removing for as long as the user want it. In most cases, this is all night. If the blanket is used as a calming tool it works the same way. use the blanket as long as the user needs the blanket and it makes them comfortable. This could be 20 minutes or hours. The information stated in certain writings that after a certain period of time a blanket will loose it's therapeutic effect is unfounded and unproven. We have never seen a study that makes that statement.

The bottom line, there is no formal guidelines that are scientifically based that have been established to gain a therapeutic effect of a weighted blanket. There is only trial, error and experience that both medical professionals and those of us that live with a special needs loved one. The conclusion is simply, use the weighted blanket as long as it helps and makes the user feel good.

Weighted blankets should never be used as a restraint, it is important that the user can always remove a weighted blanket on their own, if desired.

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