Weighted blankets enhance patient experience by reducing anxiety during chemotherapy
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A study conducted at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute has shown that weighted blankets decreased anxiety during chemotherapy infusions when used as a supportive care measure, according to data presented at Oncology Nursing Society Congress.
“Nonpharmacologic interventions in nursing care are important and growing in acceptance,” Megan Corbett, MSN, RN, NPD-BC, OCN, nursing clinical specialist at Dana-Farber, told Healio. “Including the use of a weighted blanket in a comprehensive toolkit of strategies may impact important outcomes associated with anxiety reduction, such as treatment adherence.”
Corbett spoke with Healio about the value of the weighted blanket intervention in alleviating anxiety associated with cancer.
Healio: What motivated you to conduct this study?
Corbett: At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, patient anxiety levels were palpable. Patents were no longer allowed visitors during their appointments. They were coming into the clinic alone and overwhelmed, and the infusion nurses could sense a significant shift in the culture of the clinic.
Anxiety is a common emotion when a patient is first diagnosed with cancer, and it often persists throughout the journey. COVID-19 exacerbated these symptoms. The infusion nurse team was committed to supporting patients in the absence of their loved ones. The use of weighted blankets is not a novel concept — it’s used frequently in both pediatric and adult populations for a variety of indications, and they can be easily found. When we reviewed the literature on its use in oncology, it was limited, and the idea to introduce weighted blankets into clinical use was born.
Healio: How did you conduct the study?
Corbett: A literature review was performed, an evidence-based practice project was outlined and institutional review board approval was received for implementation. The project proposal was reviewed with clinic teams for awareness and orientation to workflows. Consent for participation was obtained during the teaching appointment. Patients were provided with a medical-grade weighted blanket for an application time of 20 minutes. The blanket was applied prior to receiving any medications. A modified version of the visual analogue scale of anxiety was used to assess a patient’s self-reported anxiety levels before and after using the blanket. Voluntary surveys addressing weighted blanket usage feasibility were completed by nursing staff at the completion of the project. The study was supported by management teams and executives of the institution. The weighted blankets purchased for use were funded by a grant from the institute’s charitable foundation.
Healio: What did you find?
Corbett: Of the 76 patients who participated in the project, 7% reported extreme anxiety, 30% moderate anxiety, 35% very little anxiety and 28% no anxiety pre-intervention. Post-intervention anxiety levels reduced overall to 0% extreme anxiety, 18% moderate anxiety, 44% very little anxiety and 38% no anxiety.
The weighted blanket provided comfort, relaxation, and reduced anxiety for patients as reported by the patients themselves, including comments such as “It was soothing and helped with my anxiety, making me more comfortable,” “It was relaxing, reassuring, and helps with my treatment,” and “It was helpful and created a calm and secure feeling.”
Patients continue to request the weighted blanket for their treatments. To enhance the reported effects by the patient, the blanket was also placed in a blanket warmer within the infusion suite. The warmed blanket has been requested by patients especially during the summer months when air conditioning is on or if the patient is utilizing the scalp cooling process to minimize hair loss during treatment. Cold temperatures are maintained for a certain duration in scalp cooling — depending on the chemotherapy treatment — which patients find uncomfortable.
Healio: What are your plans for further research in this area?
Corbett: We know that reduction in anxiety plays a role in a patient’s overall cancer treatment outcomes. Knowing that nonpharmacologic interventions for treating anxiety are often underrecognized and underutilized by nurses, we are working to share the findings of our evidence-based practice both internally and nationally. We are sharing results of the study and implementation plans across our institution to ensure each clinic not only has weighted blankets on-hand, but that nurses are championing their use.
Healio: What do you think will be the long-term implications of this study on the future of anxiety management in the context of cancer treatment?
Corbett: For patients who wish to use them, a weighted blanket may enhance the patient care experience. It’s important to note the ease of use with weighted blankets, which supports further expansion and widespread adoption within oncology nursing.
Healio: Is there anything else you would like to mention?
Partnerships are needed to implement the use of weighted blankets in an infusion clinic. Interdisciplinary teams — including operations and infection control — must weigh in their expertise and abilities to support a successful implementation plan.
Reference:
- Corbett M, et al. Evaluating the use of weighted blankets as an anxiety reduction tool during cancer treatment. Presented at: Oncology Nursing Society Congress; April 26-30, 2023; San Antonio, Texas.
For more information:
Megan Corbett, MSN, RN, NPD-BC, OCN, can be reached at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA 02215-5450; email: megan_corbett@dfci.harvard.edu.
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