Suzanne Dawson
Weighted blankets as a nonpharmacological sleep intervention for people with behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia: A hybrid effectiveness-implementation pilot study
Award
Hazel Hawke Research Grant in Dementia Care
Status
Completed
Start Date
5 June 2023
About the project
Sleep disturbances are common among people living with dementia. Consequences are far reaching for the person, their carer and care systems. Sleep disturbances result in decreased quality of life for the person living with dementia and cause significant stress for caregivers. Additionally, sleep disturbances are associated with increased admissions to care settings and healthcare costs.
As such, sleep disturbances for people living with dementia are recognised as a major challenge that requires addressing. Nonpharmacological interventions are prioritised for the treatment of sleep disturbances. However, medication is frequently used, with a range of risks (including increased falls and confusion). Currently there is no gold-standard sleep intervention for people living with dementia. The use of weighted blankets is emerging as a safe sleep intervention option, although little is known about the effectiveness for people with dementia.
Dr Suzanne Dawson investigated the effectiveness, facilitation and implementation of weighted blankets across a four-week trial aiming to generate evidence and recommendations to improve sleep outcomes for people with dementia living in a range of settings. While there was no evidence that weighted blankets significantly effected sleep or behavioural outcomes for people living with dementia, there were positive effects for some people and no adverse effects. The weighted blankets were feasible and widely applicable, with all residents of an aged care home able to participate in the trial. Families and staff also showed high interest in the use of weighted blankets as a low cost and low risk option for people living with dementia, demonstrating wide acceptability of their use for sleep.
As a result of this study, Dr Dawson has co-designed a fact sheet on the use of weighted blankets with the Adelaide Hills Dementia Carers Social Support Group. Due to the level of interest in the use of weighted blankets, Dr Dawson aims to continue her research into advancing consumer and clinician confidence to use weighted blankets more broadly.
Where are they now?
At the time of this award Dr Suzanne Dawson was a Practitioner Fellow in the Caring Futures Institute, Flinders University and working in clinical practice as Principal Occupational Therapist for Southern Adelaide Local Health Network mental health services.
