Weighted Blankets for Pain and Anxiety in Adult Trauma Patients

The Impact of Weighted Blanket Administration for Acute Pain in Trauma Inpatients

The purpose of this study is to determine whether the use of a weighted blanket improves pain and anxiety among adult trauma inpatients. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either a weighted blanket or the standard hospital blanket routinely provided during hospitalization. Pain scores documented as part of routine clinical care and participant-reported anxiety ratings will be compared between groups. This study will evaluate whether weighted blankets may serve as a non-pharmacologic adjunct to pain and anxiety management for adult trauma inpatients.

This study is a prospective, single-center, randomized controlled trial evaluating weighted blanket use as a non-pharmacologic intervention for adult trauma inpatients admitted to Dell Seton Medical Center.

Eligible participants who provide written informed consent will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio to receive either a commercially available weighted blanket or the standard hospital blanket routinely provided during hospitalization. Participants in both groups will otherwise receive routine clinical care. Assigned blankets will be provided according to randomized group assignment, and participants may use or discontinue use of their assigned blanket at their discretion.

Study data will be collected through review of the electronic medical record and participant-reported assessments. Pain outcomes will be evaluated using Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) scores documented as part of routine clinical care. Anxiety will be assessed using a daily Visual Analog Scale (VAS) during the first seven study days following enrollment or until hospital discharge, whichever occurs first. Additional study measures include opioid utilization, vital signs, length of hospital stay, and participant-reported blanket use and satisfaction.

Approximately 50 participants are expected to be enrolled. Study data will be analyzed to compare outcomes between the study groups and evaluate weighted blanket use as a non-pharmacologic adjunct to pain and anxiety management in adult trauma inpatients.

Inclusion Criteria

• Adults aged 18 to 89 years
• Patients admitted to the trauma service at Dell Seton Medical Center
• Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score of 15 at the time of enrollment
• Able to provide informed consent and participate in study assessments
• Medically stable for participation, as documented in the electronic medical record and/or confirmed by the treating clinical team

Exclusion Criteria

• Age younger than 18 years
• Age older than 89 years
• Pregnant patients
• Intubated or mechanically ventilated patients
• Patients with burn injuries
• Prisoners or incarcerated individuals