Exploring the Safety and Therapeutic Effects of Deep Pressure Stimulation Using a Weighted Blanket

Mullen, Brian; Champagne, Tina; Krishnamurty, Sundar; Dickson, Debra; Gao, Robert X.

doi:10.1300/j004v24n01_05

Cited by 72 publications

(62 citation statements)

References 18 publications

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“…The calming effects of the machine may be due to such deep touch pressure it provides, 3,4 that is a mechanical deformation of the skin and is coupled with stimulation of the underlying fascia and periosteum. 5 While other methods of providing deep touch, pressure have been developed and have achieved clinically observed effects in anxious, inattentive, and hyperactive children especially with autism, such as rolling in a gym mat, 6 using weighted blankets (or gravity blankets), 7,8 or weighted vests, 9,10 it appears that the squeeze machine is as effective as these other methods. To Grandin, the machine opens a door connected to the emotional world and tells her what or how to feel empathy for others is.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Observing the Transformation of Bodily Self-consciousness in the Squeeze-machine Experiment

Minoura

Tani

Ishii

et al. 2019

JoVE

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How is our bodily self-consciousness acquired, and how does it affect cognition? To investigate this, we conducted an experiment using the squeeze machine, a device that provides pressure along the length of the user's whole body. The squeeze machine is used to help autistic people relax. The inventor of the machine, Dr. Temple Grandin says that the squeeze machine, beyond bringing her relaxation, enables her to feel empathy for others. This claim is of considerable interest and raises the following two points; first, the problem of empathy in autism is an important issue and Squeeze Machine could be effective. Second, it suggests that the physical action of Squeeze Machine could provide an insight of mind-body problem to us. Here, we hypothesize that the squeeze machine focuses conscious to direct the bodily self, transforming bodily self-consciousness itself. Such intentionality could bring empathy to others. In this study, we tested whether bodily self-consciousness would be transformed through the squeeze-machine experience. In the first part of the protocol, we simplified the original design of Grandin's squeeze machine but ensured that it retained its relaxing effect. In the second part of the protocol, we adopted a preestablished method of peri-personal space (PPS) measurement to estimate changes in extended bodily space. The results showed that the boundaries of PPS that appeared in the control experiment disappeared during the use of the squeeze machine. Indeed, collected subjective reports suggest that bodily self-consciousness continually drifted between the point of action of the external force (squeeze-machine pressure) and of an internal force (balance among body parts that are usually not consciously controlled), leading to the abandonment of the immobilization of individual PPS.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Observing the Transformation of Bodily Self-consciousness in the Squeeze-machine Experiment

Minoura

Tani

Ishii

et al. 2019

JoVE

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“…Weighted items such as weighted blankets, toys, vests and lap bags are frequently used in sensory room and provide several sensory inputs at once (e.g. deep pressure, touch and sight: Mullen, Champagne, Krishnamurty, Dickson & Gao, ). Individuals can select to use the sensory room for ‘time out’ and to make active efforts to soothe and calm themselves.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sensory approaches in mental health: A scoping review

Scanlan

Novak

2015

Aus Occup Therapy J

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Although there is emerging evidence for the usefulness of sensory approaches in supporting consumers' self-management of distress, there is less evidence for sensory approaches supporting reductions in seclusion and restraint when used in isolation. More research is necessary, but sensory approaches do appear safe and effective. Services wishing to reduce seclusion and restraint should implement sensory approaches in conjunction with other strategies to achieve this important outcome.

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“…Evidence is scarce for the use of deep pressure touch in clinical practice, and the research that does exist has used various modes of application (e.g., weighted vests, brushing, Squeeze Machine [Therafin Corporation, Frankfort, IL]) without the use of objective physiological measures (Edelson, Edelson, Kerr, & Grandin, 1999;Fertel-Daly, Bedell, & Hinojosa, 2001;Hodgetts, Magill-Evans, & Misiaszek, 2011;Lin, Lee, Chang, & Hong, 2014;VandenBerg, 2001;Withersty, Stout, Mogge, Nesland, & David Allen, 2005). Research on deep pressure use has been done almost exclusively with children, with only two studies to date involving adults (Mullen, Champagne, Krishnamurty, Dickson, & Gao, 2008;Withersty et al, 2005). In addition, no studies to date have comprehensively examined the effects of deep pressure application in a typical population, indicating a need to establish the standard deviation and range of physiological and performance outcome measures in a typical sample.…”

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confidence: 99%

Effects of Deep Pressure Stimulation on Physiological Arousal

Reynolds

Lane

Mullen³

2015

The American Journal of Occupational Therapy

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Deep pressure stimulation has been used in therapeutic practice because of the assumption that it changes physiological arousal. The purpose of this study was to test the effects of deep pressure stimulation, applied with a Vayu Vest (Therapeutic Systems), on both autonomic arousal and performance in a normative adult sample. A repeated-measures, repeated-baseline design was used with participants completing a performance test before and after deep pressure application. A convenience sample of 50 adults participated in the study. Results showed that wearing the Vayu Vest for even short periods of time reduced sympathetic arousal and non-stimulus-driven electrical occurrences. Concomitant increases in parasympathetic arousal were found. Performance improvements were noted after wearing the Vayu Vest, potentially because of changes in arousal. We conclude that deep pressure stimulation is capable of eliciting changes in autonomic arousal and may be a useful modality in diagnostic groups seen by occupational therapy practitioners.

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Exploring the Safety and Therapeutic Effects of Deep Pressure Stimulation Using a Weighted Blanket

Cited by 72 publications

References 18 publications

Observing the Transformation of Bodily Self-consciousness in the Squeeze-machine Experiment

Observing the Transformation of Bodily Self-consciousness in the Squeeze-machine Experiment

Sensory approaches in mental health: A scoping review

Effects of Deep Pressure Stimulation on Physiological Arousal

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