Weighted Blankets and Sleep Quality in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Single-Subject Design.

Bryan M Gee,Jesse Sutton,Tyler Mcomber,Kimberly Lloyd

doi:10.3390/children8010010

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to explore the efficacy of weighted blanket applications and sleep quality in children with autism spectrum disorder and behavioral manifestations of sensory processing deficits. Two 4-year-old participants diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder who also experienced sleep disturbances took part in a single-subject design study. Objective sleep measures and caregiver surveys were tracked for a baseline period of eight days, followed by a 14-day weighted blanket intervention and a seven-day withdrawal phase. Caregiver reports and objective data were evaluated using visual analysis and the percentage of non-overlapping data methods. The results suggest minimal changes in sleep patterns as a result of the weighted blanket intervention. The findings based on using a weighted blanket intervention were enhanced morning mood after night use and a significantly decreased time to fall asleep for participants, though they were not strong enough to recommend for clinical use. Future directions include single-subject and cohort-designed studies exploring the efficacy of weighted blankets with increasing sleep quality among children with autism.

Highlights

Autism is a complex neurodevelopmental condition with hallmark features that include atypical language and communication skills, poor social interaction, impaired executive functioning, sensory processing, and motor skill coordination [1]
As mentioned with the medical conditions, are sleep disturbances and low sleep quality [3] is the focus of this paper
The overall study aimed at increasing the duration of the intervention phase, using a caregiver questionnaire tracking participant behavioral changes and using a sample of younger children that were implemented in the Gringras et al [14] and Gee et al [15,16] studies

Summary

Introduction

Autism is a complex neurodevelopmental condition with hallmark features that include atypical language and communication skills, poor social interaction, impaired executive functioning, sensory processing, and motor skill coordination [1]. The condition presents with comorbid psychiatric and medical conditions which may include anxiety disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, intellectual disability, immune system irregularities, gastrointestinal disorder, sleep disturbances and epilepsy and seizure disorder [2]. To 83% of individuals (adults and children) with autism experience sleep disturbances [4]. Humphreys et al [5] reported a reduced sleep duration of 17 to 43 min in children (30 months to 11 years) with autism as compared to children without autism. Children (18 to 42 months) with autism have impaired sleep patterns [5]

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