Weighted blanket to ease chronic pain and sleep problems in veterans
Official title: RCT of a Weighted Blanket to Reduce Pain in Veterans with Chronic Pain
Funded at Veterans Affairs Med Ctr San Francisco · NIH-11211890 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A heavier weighted blanket may help veterans with chronic pain sleep better and feel less pain.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Veterans Affairs Med Ctr San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project start | October 1, 2023 |
| Project end | September 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| NIH project number | 5I01CX002591-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11211890 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Veterans aged 21 or older with chronic musculoskeletal pain and sleep disturbance are the ideal candidates.
✕Less likely to help
People without chronic pain or sleep problems, or those with medical issues that make heavy blankets unsafe, are unlikely to benefit from this intervention.
What this research studies
If you are a veteran with ongoing musculoskeletal pain and sleep trouble, you could be randomly assigned to use either a heavier weighted blanket or a lighter control blanket for a period of time. You will report your pain and sleep symptoms and the team will compare outcomes between the two groups. The researchers will also look to see if improvements in sleep come before or explain any reductions in pain. This is a non-drug, low-cost approach delivered through the VA medical center with regular check-ins.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could offer a simple, low-cost non-drug option to improve sleep and reduce pain for veterans.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown weighted blankets can help anxiety and sleep, but evidence specifically for chronic pain is still preliminary.
Where this research is happening
-
Veterans Affairs Med Ctr San Francisco
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Strigo, Irina a — Veterans Affairs Med Ctr San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Strigo, Irina a
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.