Weighted Blankets and Chronic Pain

Weighted Blankets and Chronic Pain

The purpose of the study is to test whether the use of weighted blankets can change the experience of chronic pain and to examine if social, psychological, or health factors influence the perception of the blanket. Multiple blanket weights will be tested.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. 18 years or older
2. Fluent in English
3. Diagnosis of chronic pain (self-report; those already indicating this diagnosis on researchmatch.org)
4. Willing to sleep with a weighted blanket and fitness watch for 1 week
5. Able to safely lift up to 15lb
6. Willing and able to use their personal smartphone for fitness tracker app and EMA app to submit ratings using personal data plan

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Pregnancy
2. Major medical conditions such as kidney, liver, cardiovascular (hypertension, preexisting cardiac arrhythmia), autonomic, pulmonary, or neurological problems (e.g., seizure disorder)
3. Current or previous use of a weighted blanket
4. Claustrophobia