Apparently these 'weighted vests' can work on increasing 'on-task behavior' on children (see studies below). Shouldn't they be somewhat effective as well for adults with similar problems - say someone who has problems sitting still and keeping on-task at work?


<INPUT id=UidCheckBox type=checkbox value=12959226 name=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPa nel.Pubmed_RVAbstractPlusDrugs1.uid sid="1">1: Am J Occup Ther. (javascript:AL_get(this, 'jour', 'Am J Occup Ther.');) 2001 Nov-Dec;55(6):621-8.<SCRIPT language=JavaScript1.2><!-- var Menu12959226 = [ ["UseLocalConfig", "jsmenu3Config", "", ""], ["LinkOut", "window.top.location='/sites/entrez?Cmd=ShowLinkOut&Db=pubmed&TermToSearch=12959226&ordinalpos=1&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsP anel.Pubmed_RVAbstractPlusDrugs1' ", "", ""] ] --></SCRIPT> Links (javascript:PopUpMenu2_Set(Menu12959226);)
<DD class=abstract>The use of a weighted vest to increase on-task behavior in children with attention difficulties.

<!--AuthorList-->VandenBerg NL (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?Db=pubmed&Cmd=Search&Term=%22VandenBerg%20NL%22%5BAuthor%5D&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsP anel.Pubmed_RVAbstractPlusDrugs1).
Plainwell Community Schools, Plainwell, Michigan, USA. vanden4@aol.com
OBJECTIVE: Children described as having attention deficit hyperactivity disorder often demonstrate inability to sustain visual attention during classroom fine motor activities. This study investigated the effect of wearing a weighted vest (deep-pressure sensory input) on children's on-task behavior in the classroom. METHOD: Four students with documented attention difficulties and hyperactivity were timed with a stopwatch to measure their on-task behavior during fine motor activities in the classroom. All 4 students were timed for six 15-min observations without wearing a weighted vest and for six 15-min observations while wearing a weighted vest. RESULTS: On-task behavior increased by 18% to 25% in all 4 students while wearing the weighted vest. Additionally, 3 of the 4 students frequently asked to wear the vest other than during the observation times. CONCLUSION: These preliminary findings support the hypothesis that wearing a weighted vest to apply deep pressure increases on-task behavior during fine motor activities.
PMID: 12959226 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
</DD>
<INPUT id=UidCheckBox type=checkbox value=12959227 name=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPa nel.Pubmed_RVAbstractPlusDrugs1.uid sid="1">1: Am J Occup Ther. (javascript:AL_get(this, 'jour', 'Am J Occup Ther.');) 2001 Nov-Dec;55(6):629-40.<SCRIPT language=JavaScript1.2><!-- var Menu12959227 = [ ["UseLocalConfig", "jsmenu3Config", "", ""], ["LinkOut", "window.top.location='/sites/entrez?Cmd=ShowLinkOut&Db=pubmed&TermToSearch=12959227&ordinalpos=1&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsP anel.Pubmed_RVAbstractPlusDrugs1' ", "", ""] ] --></SCRIPT> Links (javascript:PopUpMenu2_Set(Menu12959227);)
<DD class=abstract>Effects of a weighted vest on attention to task and self-stimulatory behaviors in preschoolers with pervasive developmental disorders.

<!--AuthorList-->Fertel-Daly D (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?Db=pubmed&Cmd=Search&Term=%22Fertel-Daly%20D%22%5BAuthor%5D&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsP anel.Pubmed_RVAbstractPlusDrugs1), Bedell G (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?Db=pubmed&Cmd=Search&Term=%22Bedell%20G%22%5BAuthor%5D&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsP anel.Pubmed_RVAbstractPlusDrugs1), Hinojosa J (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?Db=pubmed&Cmd=Search&Term=%22Hinojosa%20J%22%5BAuthor%5D&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsP anel.Pubmed_RVAbstractPlusDrugs1).
Challenge Infant Developmental Center, Brooklyn, New York, USA.
OBJECTIVE: This study examined the effectiveness of using a weighted vest for increasing attention to a fine motor task and decreasing self-stimulatory behaviors in preschool children with pervasive developmental disorders (PDD). METHOD: Using an ABA single-subject design, the duration of attention to task and self-stimulatory behaviors and the number of distractions were measured in five preschool children with PDD over a period of 6 weeks. RESULTS: During the intervention phase, all participants displayed a decrease in the number of distractions and an increase in the duration of focused attention while wearing the weighted vest. All but 1 participant demonstrated a decrease in the duration of self-stimulatory behaviors while wearing a weighted vest; however, the type of self-stimulatory behaviors changed and became less self-abusive for this child while she wore the vest. During the intervention withdrawal phase, 3 participants experienced an increase in the duration of self-stimulatory behaviors, and all participants experienced an increase in the number of distractions and a decrease in the duration of focused attention. The increase or decrease, however, never returned to baseline levels for these behaviors. CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that for these 5 children with PDD, the use of a weighted vest resulted in an increase in attention to task and decrease in self-stimulatory behaviors. The most consistent improvement observed was the decreased number of distractions. Additional research is necessary to build consensus about the effectiveness of wearing a weighted vest to increase attention to task and decrease self-stimulatory behaviors for children with PDD.
PMID: 12959227 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
</DD>
<INPUT id=UidCheckBox type=checkbox value=15118771 name=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPa nel.Pubmed_RVAbstractPlusDrugs1.uid sid="1">1: Occup Ther Int. (javascript:AL_get(this, 'jour', 'Occup Ther Int.');) 2004;11(1):52-66.<SCRIPT language=JavaScript1.2><!-- var Menu15118771 = [ ["UseLocalConfig", "jsmenu3Config", "", ""], ["LinkOut", "window.top.location='/sites/entrez?Cmd=ShowLinkOut&Db=pubmed&TermToSearch=15118771&ordinalpos=1&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsP anel.Pubmed_RVAbstractPlusDrugs1' ", "", ""] ] --></SCRIPT> Links (javascript:PopUpMenu2_Set(Menu15118771);)
<DD class=abstract>Occupational therapists' reported experiences using weighted vests with children with specific developmental disorders.

<!--AuthorList-->Olson LJ (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?Db=pubmed&Cmd=Search&Term=%22Olson%20LJ%22%5BAuthor%5D&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsP anel.Pubmed_RVAbstractPlusDrugs1), Moulton HJ (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?Db=pubmed&Cmd=Search&Term=%22Moulton%20HJ%22%5BAuthor%5D&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsP anel.Pubmed_RVAbstractPlusDrugs1).
Graduate Program in Occupational Therapy, Mercy College, Dobbs Ferry, New York 10522, USA. LOlson@mercy.edu
The purpose of this study was to identify specific practice patterns of a convenience sample of paediatric occupational therapists and the behavioural changes that they observe when they use weighted vests with children with developmental disorders. Although the practice of weighted vests is accepted clinically, there is little discussion of their use nor is there empirical evidence of their efficacy in the literature. A convenience sample of 51 occupational therapists from different geographic areas of the United States participated in a telephone survey about how they used weighted vests with specific children. This study was a follow-up to a mail survey about paediatric occupational therapists' opinions and general practice patterns with weighted vests. Although the interviewees observed some different behavioural changes in children with various developmental disorders when these children used weighted vests, their practice patterns in using the vests were similar across disabilities. The most common behavioural changes noted were increased attention and staying on task. Participants' opinions and practice patterns related to weighted vests are discussed. This study is not generalizable as it utilized a self-selected group of therapists. However, the findings from the qualitative data can provide direction for future quantitative studies by providing important data about practice patterns that may serve as independent variables examining the effectiveness of weighted vests.
PMID: 15118771 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
</DD>

I think you might be confusing ADD with SID (sensory integration disorder) or PDDs (Pervasive Developmental Disorders) like Autism.

I think you might be confusing ADD with SID (sensory integration disorder) or PDDs (Pervasive Developmental Disorders) like Autism.That was my first thought too. I wonder if the people in the study had more than just ADHD/ADD. I hate restrictive, heavy clothing. My son screamed when he was swaddled as a baby. I can't even wear shoes or jewelry all day. I can't sleep in a bed if the top sheet is tucked in and find a feather duvet less confining than blankets.

I was in Orthographically handicapped from about grades 3-12. Because i was rather hyperactive, there were two stints that i was perscribed weighted vests. one was grades 4-6 about, and the other was Grades 11&12. (different people for each stint). I don't know what this particular "condition" would be that makes me hyperactive

the earlier stint (4-6) I really enjoyed wearing it, and it calmed me down noticeably.. but the 11th 12 grade stint, It didn't seem to do much for me. I suggested more weight, but the therapist thought i had enough already.

I am still rather hyperactive and often wonder if some time of weighted therapy would benefit me when i feel those hyperactive moments coming on. I dont even know what this "condition" would be, but in plain english ,i get hyper quite often.

I have found an item http://www.sensorybelt.com/ that calls itself an alternative to weighted vests, and they have both Children and teen/adult versions, but i am not positive if this would be right for me because, well.. i've never used one.

I can't seem to find any weighted vests that are made for adults besides the ones made for exercise, but i wonder if those would suffice,given the correct weight?

For ADD, these studies are insufficient. You could study a room full of ADHD children for a week and find that putting doughnuts on their head would help increase their attention in the classroom. Novelty begets stimulation in the ADHD brain.