Weighted Blankets After Brain Injury

A Feasibility Study of Weighted Blankets to Help Agitation and Disturbed Sleep After Brain Injury

A non-blinded randomised controlled feasibility study of weighted blankets to help agitation and disturbed sleep after brain injury. This is a single centre study based in a community hospital in the UK. Outcomes centre on determining the feasibility and acceptability of the study taking place in an NHS setting.

A non-blinded randomised controlled feasibility study of weighted blankets to help agitation and disturbed sleep after brain injury. This is a single centre study based in a community hospital in the UK. Outcomes centre on determining the feasibility and acceptability of the study taking place in an NHS setting.

12 subjects will be randomised 1:1 to intervention or control; they will use the allocated linen for 7 consecutive days and nights. Sleep will be measured using observations and actigraphs; behaviour and behavioural interventions will be recorded.

Participants (where possible) and staff members will be interviewed about their experience and opinions.

Inclusion Criteria

• Subjects capable of giving informed consent, or if appropriate, subjects having an acceptable individual capable of giving assent on the subject's behalf
• Aged over 18 years
• Admitted to King's Lodge Neurorehabilitation Unit for inpatient rehabilitation after a brain injury
• Within weight limits to be suitable for weighted blanket use

Exclusion Criteria

• On end of life pathway
• Pain which could be exacerbated by weighted blanket
• Unable to remove
• Presence of open wound / pressure sore
• Allergy to blanket material
• Participant or consultee unable or unwilling to give informed consent / assent
• Known respiratory disorder such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, obstructive sleep apnoea which could be exacerbated by use of heavy blanket over chest
• Claustrophobia