Protac Ball Blanket® significantly lengthens the sleep among patients suffering from depression
For many patients with depression, insomnia is a major issue. Even when depression is treated, insomnia can remain a problem, can worsen the depression and can be the reason why is it hard to recover from depression.
In many cases, patients with depression are treated with medication that can cause side effects and lead to medication dependency. Psychiatric nurse Sanne Toft Kristiansen has dedicated her PhD-thesis to examining the effects and experiences of using the Protac Ball Blanket® among patients with depression-related insomnia to document the effect of a non-pharmacological alternatives. The PhD-thesis employs a multi-method study design with several qualitative and quantitative sub-projects and articles.
The thesis concludes that insomnia, as expected, presents significant challenges for patients in managing daily life and that the patients find value and well-being in non-pharmacological treatments. With the Protac Ball Blanket®, patients experienced a significant increase in sleep duration, a reduction in anxiety and depressive symptoms, and a reduction of insomnia severity.
Additionally, the patients reported that using the Protac Ball Blanket® improved their perceived sleep quality and overall daily well-being.
Download brochure on the PhD-thesis
Please contact protac@protac.dk for further information.
Articles related to the PhD-thesis
2020
'The efficacy of ball blankets on insomnia in depression in outpatient clinics: study protocol for a randomized crossover multicentre trial.'
Link >
2023
'Experiences of adult patients living with depression-related insomnia: a qualitative systematic review protocol.'
Link >
2024
'User experiences of ball blankets in adults with depression-related insomnia: a qualitative content analysis study.'
Link >
FACTS
Approximately 5% of the population in Denmark is affected by depression, and this number is unfortunately growing. Insomnia is often a substantial part of the depression diagnosis, and it represents a negatively reinforcing factor affecting the quality of life.
For patients with depression, difficulties falling asleep, nighttime awakenings, and early morning awakenings can create a negative feedback loop. Sleepless hours provide ample space for depressive thoughts, heightened awareness of the inability to sleep, and, as most people have likely experienced, the irritation and stress that come with being unable to sleep.
This creates a vicious mental spiral that not only worsens the psychological state but also has long-term negative consequences for physical health. It is well known that lack of sleep leads to concentration difficulties, irritability, and, in the long term, reduced endurance, weakened immune system, and obesity.
