A systematic review of weighted vests with individuals with autism spectrum disorder

Taylor, Christopher J.; Spriggs, Amy D.; Ault, Melinda Jones; Flanagan, Sara; Sartini, Emily C.

doi:10.1016/j.rasd.2017.03.003

Cited by 12 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 16 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…A quarter of the total sample, significantly more adults, used the weighted blanket during the day due to difficulties relaxing. This finding is supported by earlier studies on weighted vest use during school/education tasks, showing that weighted vests improve in-seat behaviour, attention-to-task, and task completion in children with ADHD in a classroom environment [57][58][59][60][61][62][63]77]. Further studies need to examine the use of weighted blankets during the day for relaxation, especially among adolescents and adults to establish their effectiveness in improving performance in work and/or school/education.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 67%

The effectiveness of weighted blankets on sleep and everyday activities – A retrospective follow-up study of children and adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and/or autism spectrum disorder

Baric

Skuthälla

Pettersson

et al. 2021

Scandinavian Journal of Occupational Therapy

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 67%

The effectiveness of weighted blankets on sleep and everyday activities – A retrospective follow-up study of children and adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and/or autism spectrum disorder

Baric

Skuthälla

Pettersson

et al. 2021

Scandinavian Journal of Occupational Therapy

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Deep pressure touch (DPT) is created with sensations such as firm touching, holding, and swaddling and has been noted to have a relaxing and calming effect on the nervous system [31]. When utilizing weighted vests to provide DPT to impact child behaviors, attention, etc., often the vest weight is recommended to be approximately 10% of the individual's body weight [32] though evidence to support the effectiveness of weighted vests is limited [33]. Based on these vest weight recommendations, some implementing weighted blanket researches have used this 10% of body weight target [34][35][36][37].…”

Section: The Impact Of Sensory Processing Differences On Sleepmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Impact of Weighted Blanket Use on Adults with Sensory Sensitivity and Insomnia

Davis-Cheshire,

Bennington,

Hartsek

et al. 2023

Occupational Therapy International

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Purpose. This study’s purpose was to determine the impact of weighted blanket use on moderate to severe insomnia in adults with sensory sensitivity greater than the average population. Methods. For this study, a four-week, single-case, multiple-participant ABA study design was used. Through convenience sampling, four participants scoring 15 or greater on the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), which categorizes them as having moderate to severe insomnia, and much more than most people in sensory sensitivity on the Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile were recruited. First, seven-day baseline sleep data was gathered, followed by two weeks of weighted blanket use, concluding with a seven-day withdrawal phase. Additional outcome measures included: Tuck and Snooze Survey, Consensus Sleep Diary Morning, and Additional Sleep Diary Questions. Data analysis included visual analysis, mean comparisons, Tau-U calculations, and pre- to post-ISI category comparisons. Results. All participants’ ISI scores were categorized as one level less severe postintervention. All participants demonstrated increased sleep quality, and three participants showed an increase in sleep duration based on individual mean comparisons between baseline and intervention phases. Conclusion. Weighted blankets appear beneficial in reducing insomnia severity in adults with much more than the average population sensory sensitivity. In addition, those with self-reported anxiety may have increased benefit from this intervention.

show abstract

“…The deep pressure signal stimulates the brain through the dorsal column system of the spinal cord, followed by ascending to the brain via ascending pathways, including the spinoreticular pathway, which contributes to autonomic activity [ 21 ]. In addition, the deep-pressure organized sensory input stimulates the release of serotonin and dopamine, which influence deep brain structures, decreasing arousal [ 22 , 23 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The hug machine, with an adjustable strength pressure or intensity, was developed from the hugging theory; this theory can be used to develop a portable device that helps mobilization in children with autism [ 23 ]. Moreover, it will bring beneficial effects to the development of the medical device in emerging countries, especially in Indonesia, that have problems with costs related to the procurement of medical devices for the purpose of meeting market needs [ 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of Short-Term Deep-Pressure Portable Seat on Behavioral and Biological Stress in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Pilot Study

et al. 2022

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have challenging behaviors, which are associated with difficulties in parenting. Deep pressure is a therapeutic modality in occupational therapy, and it was reported to produce a calming effect. This study aimed to determine whether the short-term use of an autism hug machine portable seat (AHMPS) improves behavioral and neurobiological stress in children with ASD, and to determine whether AHMPS with an inflatable wrap or manual pull is more effective. This study enrolled children with ASD who were administered with the inflatable wrap (group I) and manual pull (group II) for 20 min twice a week for 3 weeks. Conners’ Parent Rating Scale-48 (CPRS-48) was used to rate behavioral improvements, and galvanic skin response (GSR) was used to measure sympathetic stress response. A total of 20 children with ASD (14 boys and 6 girls; aged 7–13 years) were included. CPRS-48 presented conduct problems: behavior was significantly decreased in the inflatable group (p = 0.007) compared to the manual pull group. The GSR captured a significant reduction in sympathetic response (p = 0.01) only in group I. Neurobiological stress was reduced in children who were wearing the AHMPS inflatable wrap; therefore, AHMPS inflatable wrap is an effective method to reduce emotional arousal.

show abstract

A systematic review of weighted vests with individuals with autism spectrum disorder

Cited by 12 publications

References 16 publications

The effectiveness of weighted blankets on sleep and everyday activities – A retrospective follow-up study of children and adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and/or autism spectrum disorder

The effectiveness of weighted blankets on sleep and everyday activities – A retrospective follow-up study of children and adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and/or autism spectrum disorder

The Impact of Weighted Blanket Use on Adults with Sensory Sensitivity and Insomnia

Effect of Short-Term Deep-Pressure Portable Seat on Behavioral and Biological Stress in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Pilot Study

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About