Weighted blanket to ease chronic pain for 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-11506581 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A weighted blanket is being studied to help veterans with chronic pain and sleep problems feel less pain and sleep better.
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 | 2027 |
| NIH project number | 5I01CX002591-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11506581 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Veterans with chronic pain and sleep disturbances who are eligible for participation in this trial at the VA San Francisco location.
✕Less likely to help
Participants who do not experience sleep improvements or pain relief from the weighted blanket may not receive a benefit.
What this research studies
This project tests whether a heavy weighted blanket can reduce pain and improve sleep for veterans suffering from chronic pain. Participants receive either a heavy blanket or a lighter control blanket, and researchers will track changes in pain, sleep quality, and the relationship between sleep and pain over time. The study aims to understand how deep pressure from the blanket might influence pain and sleep in this population, with a focus on non-drug approaches. If successful, the findings could guide simple, low-cost options for improving daily comfort and quality of life for veterans with chronic pain.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, veterans with chronic pain may experience better pain control and sleep through a non-pharmacologic, low-cost intervention.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary data and prior studies suggest potential benefits of weighted blankets for pain and sleep, but this specific comparison in veterans with chronic pain is novel.
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
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Motor cortex tricks to ease chronic pain
A study in rodents and people tests whether non-invasive brain stimulation of the motor cortex can reduce chronic pain and how best to target it.
-
Human pain center study to map normal and migraine-trigeminal neurons
A large NIH-funded project will map and study the human trigeminal neurons involved in migraines to understand what changes in these cells during headache conditions.
-
Understanding human pain neurons to improve migraine care
Researchers are studying human pain-sensing neurons to uncover what makes migraine start and persist, with the goal of better treatments for people who experience migraines.
-
Whole Person Pain Algorithm to personalize chronic pain care
A new, evidence-based model helps explain why chronic low back pain affects people differently and could guide personalized diagnosis and treatment.
-
Understanding how to use pharmacogenomic testing to guide chronic pain care
This grant looks at how doctors who treat long‑term pain decide when and how to use genetic testing to tailor pain medicines for safer and more effective care.
-
Mindfulness and Self-Hypnosis for Pain in Older Adults
This grant tests non-drug ways like mindfulness and self-hypnosis to help people over 60 manage chronic pain.
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.