Document Type

DNP - Open Access

Award Date

2020

Degree Name

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

Department

Graduate Nursing

First Advisor

Polly Hulme

Keywords

weighted blanket, inpatient mental health, anxiety, agitation, insomnia

Abstract

Introduction: Weighted Blankets (WBs) are a non-pharmacological treatment that can be used to reduce anxiety, agitation, and insomnia in the inpatient mental health (MH) setting. Typically, as-needed (PRN) medications are used first-line with these symptoms. The addition of PRN medications to scheduled medications can cause drug-drug interactions, dependency, adverse side effects, increased healthcare costs and reduced medication compliance. Evidence Summary: WBs are a sensory based intervention (SBI) that provides deep pressure stimulation (DPS). DPS, an evidence-based intervention, has shown to reduce stress symptoms and increase calming symptoms. WBs are a form of DPS used in the inpatient MH setting. WBs have the ability to decrease anxiety, agitation, and insomnia and provide a promising alternative to PRN medications being used to control these symptoms.
Gaps: Limited research exists looking at the impact of WB use in the inpatient adult MH setting. Research specifically regarding the impact of WB on PRN medication use was not found.
Recommendations for Practice: WBs are a safe treatment that can possibly reduce anxiety, agitation, and insomnia among MH patients. This treatment may lead to a decrease in the quantity of PRN medications needed to control these symptoms.

Library of Congress Subject Headings

Blankets -- Therapeutic use.
Mental health.
Mind and body therapies.
Mental illness -- Alternative treatment.
Anxiety.
Agitation (Psychology)
Insomnia.

Format

application/pdf

Number of Pages

95

Publisher

South Dakota State University

Rights

Copyright © 2020 Catherine Andela-Ruth

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