Adult Protac Ball Blanket™
Calm

12-year old girl, adopted at age 4.

She has settled in quickly, did not take long to learn to speak Danish and does well in school. Her family says that she does well, but it does not take much for her to "snap". When there was a death in the family, her reaction was very bad and out of proportion. The girl has never cared for physical contact, which is why it was very difficult to comfort her. 

A sense-stimulating aid: Protac Ball Blanket™

Observed effect: The girl got to try out the Protac Ball Blanket™ for a period and and was tucked in with it every night. For some time, she was not all that interested in it, and it was returned. The family got a blanket themselves later on because whenever "something happened" that triggered feelings of insecurity with family/at school or in similar situations, the girl would ask for the blanket.

10-year old adopted boy

Victim of serious child neglect in his first four years of life. He has specific learning disabilities. The boy has physical unrest and has major difficulties processing senses. His adoptive parents say  that they have a hard time getting him to fall asleep at night, that he has very restless sleep and that he often wakes up and gets out of bed in the middle of the night. 

A sense-stimulating aid: Protac Ball Blanket™

Observed effect:  After three days of acclimatisation, the boy started sleeping all through the night. After another 14 days, it became much easier for him to fall asleep.

Woman in her late twenties with anorexia.

She has been admitted to a psychiatric ward over an extended period of time.  The woman has an eating disorder  and is tormented by many psychotic episodes and suicidal impulses.

A sense-stimulating aid: Protac Ball Blanket™

Observed effect:  During the woman's hospitalisation, the blanket greatly helped her feel secure and calm, especially when she experienced anxiety and psychosis. After  she changed to outpatient, she received a blanket through a grant from the municipality. She uses the blanket at home to feel secure and calm, but also to notice how much space her body takes up. She gets a feel for the physical limits of the body and becomes more aware of the fact that her body is not large and amorphous.
The blanket has been good at keeping her from engaging in compulsive exercise. Before she got the blanket, she would go for very brisk walks for several hours when she felt bad. Now she is able to get the same level of inner peace by laying under the blanket.

Many people with congenital or acquired brain damage have been able to change their perception of their own bodies. This change in body awareness can create uneasiness and feelings of insecurity. The Protac Ball Blanket^® can helps users to better "notice" themselves. It promotes calmness, creates a sense of security and gives the user a feel for the physical limits of the body.
The Protac Ball Blanket^® is used during the acute phase of conditions in many neurological and medical units, as well as at treatment and aftercare centres for trauma patients and those afflicted with apoplexy. Read cases below:

Young man with brain injury after car accident.

He is restless and has a very poor feel for his body and its use.

A sense-stimulating aid: Protac Ball Blanket™

Observed effect: The blanket helps him calm down and get sleep so that he can focus his energy toward concentrating on his rehabilitation.

Elderly man with hemiplegia resulting from a brain haemorrhage

He is very restless.

A sense-stimulating aid: Protac Ball Blanket™

Observed effect: The man uses the blanket to calm down and feel the limits of the body.   

Brain-damaged woman suffering from involuntary movement.

A sense-stimulating aid: Protac Ball Blanket™

Observed effect: The woman uses the ball blanket to alleviate her involuntary movements. It helps her feel the limits of her body and feel calm all throughout. It makes her feel calm so that she can sleep. Before she had the blanket, she would only sleep for one hour at a time.    

Young man with traumatic brain injury.

He is very restless, yells, has anxiety and is aggressive.

A sense-stimulating aid: Protac Ball Blanket™

Observed effect:  After a week of acclimatisation, the man started going for the blanket himself and pulling it on top of himself when he laid in bed.

Neurological Conditions - Ataxia

Spasticity, 13 years old
From a mother: My daughter is 13 and a half years old and suffers from spasticity, and has always woken up several times in the evening and at night because she has spasms and needs to be turned over. When I picked up the ball blanket, I thought at first that I would never be able to lay it on top of my fragile little daughter. But...… it turned out to be lovely and great and relaxing and just so much more. She uses the ball blanket when sitting and relaxing in her bean bag—in fact, often her, her younger sister and I all sit under the blanket together and relax.
At first, I would take the blanket from her when she woke up around midnight, but afterwards, she slept with it for most of the night and sometimes all night long. I'm seeing for the first time since I've had her that she sleeps from the time she lays down in bed until around midnight or 1:30 a.m. There are some exceptions, of course, such as when she is sick or something else happens, but twice in the last week she has slept all through the night. It was strange for the alarm clock to go off and her not be awake at all. Fantastic—there's only one reason for this, and it's the ball blanket"!

Delayed injury after car accident.
A young man gets brain damage following a car accident. He is restless and has a very poor feel for his body and its use. The ball blanket helps him calm down and get sleep so that he can focus his energy toward concentrating on his rehabilitation.

Brain haemorrhage - hemiplegia
An elderly man has hemiplegia and is very restless as a result of a brain haemorrhage. He uses the blanket to calm down and feel the limits of the body.

Brain injury
Martin is 12 years old and has a brain injury. He is in care, was born prematurely and has suffered several brain haemorrhages on his first day. Martin is also a grossly neglected, emotionally abused child. This means that Martin grows very rigid if someone hugs him and pulls away from any physical contact, among other things. Complains that it hurts to be touched, e.g. if someone puts their hand on his shoulder.
Martin sees an occupational therapist where he learns recognise his own body and what it can and cannot do. After being advised by our occupational therapist to get a ball blanket, we've now got one as a trial.
Before getting the blanket, Martin had a very hard time sleeping and settling down at nighttime. He called for us all the time, saying he was thirsty, he needed to go to the bathroom, he felt hot, he felt cold—there was always something that wasn't right.
After getting the blanket, Martin falls asleep in two or three minutes after saying "goodnight", and he has even been lucky enough to fall asleep sitting in front of the TV while watching cartoons. This would have been unthinkable before we had the blanket. Martin has really profited from getting this blanket, and we hope that we can receive it through a grant. Martin is very happy with the blanket and thinks that it is wonderful. He doesn't kick the blanket off anymore either. He's gotten calmer. We are very happy to have the blanket and Martin loves it. It's still too soon to say whether it is going to change his sense of touch.
- Martin's mother

Involuntary movement
A brain-injured woman uses the ball blanket to alleviate her involuntary movements. The blanket helps her feel the limits of her body and feel calm all throughout. It makes her feel calm so that she can sleep. Before she had the ball blanket, she would only sleep for one hour at a time.
- Therapist

Traumatic injury
A young man with a traumatic brain injury is very restless, yells, has anxiety and is aggressive. After a week of acclimatisation, he started going for the ball blanket himself and pulling it on top of himself when he laid in bed.

Users with neurological problems in general
The ball blanket is used on children and adults with spasticity, patients suffering from the effects of brain trauma or apoplexy. Many people with congenital or acquired brain damage have been able to change their perception of their own bodies, spatial and directional disorientation or sensory disturbances. This change in body awareness can create uneasiness and feelings of insecurity. The ball blanket can help users to better "notice" themselves. It promotes calmness, creates a sense of security and gives the user a feel for the physical limits of the body.

The ball blanket is currently used for treatment in the acute phase of conditions in many neurological and medical unites, as well as at treatment and aftercare centres for children and adults with spasticity, trauma patients and those afflicted with apoplexy. There have been positive experiences with using the ball blankets on patients who used to be calmed with large amounts of medication. The blanket calms them without the side effects. The ball blanket is also used on patients with multiple sclerosis and Huntington's disease, for example.

Case: 13-year old girl with spasticity. She wakes up several times in the evening and at night because she has spasms and needs to be turned over. 

A sense-stimulating aid: Protac Ball Blanket™

Observed effect: "I thought at first that I would never be able to lay it on top of my fragile little daughter. But...… it turned out to be lovely and great and relaxing and just so much more. My daughter uses the Protac Ball Blanket™ when sitting and relaxing in her bean bag—in fact, often her, her younger sister and I all sit under the blanket together and relax. At first, I would take the blanket from her when she woke up around midnight, but afterwards, she slept with it for most of the night and sometimes all night long. I'm seeing for the first time since I've had her that she sleeps from the time she lays down in bed until around midnight or 1:30 a.m. There are some exceptions, of course, such as when she is sick or something else happens, but twice in the last week she has slept all through the night. It was strange for the alarm clock to go off and her not be awake at all. Fantastic—there's only one reason for this, and it's the Protac Ball Blanket^®"!

Case: Martin, 12 years old with brain damage. He is in care. Martin was born prematurely and has suffered several brain haemorrhages on his first day. Martin is also a grossly neglected, emotionally abused child. This means that Martin pulls away from any physical contact. Complains that it hurts to be touched, e.g. if someone puts their hand on his shoulder. Martin has a very hard time sleeping and settling down at night. 

A sense-stimulating aid: Protac Ball Blanket™

Observed effect: "After getting the blanket, Martin falls asleep  in two or three minutes after saying 'goodnight'. He has even been lucky enough to fall asleep in front of the TV      while watching cartoons. This would have been unthinkable before. Martin is very happy with the blanket and thinks that it is wonderful. He doesn't kick the blanket off anymore. He's gotten calmer. We are very happy to have the blanket and Martin loves it".

People with dementia can have a hard time feeling the limits of their bodies. This often results in mental and physical unrest. Their ability to orient themselves in time and space deteriorates, messing up their internal clock.

The Protac Ball Blanket^® helps users to be able to better feel for their own bodies and regain a sense of security, calmness and awareness of the limits of their body. 

Elderly woman with dementia in a care home.

She has trouble falling asleep due to mental unrest. She gets up many times throughout the night, going out and waking up the other residents.

A sense-stimulating aid: Protac Ball Blanket™

Observed effect: The ball blanket helps the woman calm down and stay in her bed.

Woman with alcohol-related dementia  in a care home.

A sense-stimulating aid: Protac Ball Blanket™

Observed effect:  The ball blanket has changed the woman's everyday life. She has several distinct nights where she gets a full night of sleep. She has a "relationship" with her bed now, while before she thought that her sleeping space was still in her double bed at home. She is calmer now in terms of her aggression toward her husband and the staff. She goes to be more willingly at a normal bedtime. She is happier during the day and smiles more often. She seems to have more energy. She doesn't walk around as much as before at the care home.

Elderly man with dementia and mounting anxiety and aggressive behaviour as a result.

Opposes situations involving moving, care and bathing. The staff feels like it is a violation when moving and bathing him.

A sense-stimulating aid: Protac Ball Blanket™

Observed effect: The man enjoyed using the ball blanket from the first night. He protests when the night nurse tries to change to his regular blanket at the end of the night and is allowed to sleep with the blanket throughout the night. After two to three weeks, the staff says that he is like a completely different person. Moving and bathing him no longer cause him to behave aggressively. He starts singing, looking at newspapers and after two months he gets up from his wheelchair several times and walks, which he has not done in a very long time.

Man with dementia and externalising behaviour at a care home.

The man exhibits especially externalising behaviour in the morning. There are two helpers that bathe him and one to hold his hands. He takes a sedative before his morning care. At night, he often gets up out of bed and has a hard time calming down again. He is also very restless during the day and has a hard time staying calm in the present moment.

A sense-stimulating aid: Protac Ball Blanket™ - with mixed ball filling (6 kg)

Observed effect: The blanket is introduced at an easy pace. The first two days in while in the wheelchair and it is placed over his legs. The man takes off the blanket with he thinks that he has had enough. Next the blanket is used for an afternoon nap, first over the legs, and when the man seems to be ok with it, the blanket is spread out over him. It is going very well and the man begins to use it at night as well. He sleeps more peacefully and only wakes up a couple times instead of 5-10 times. Now he is  completely calm in the morning during his morning care. There are now only two morning care nurses and  the man no longer needs to take a sedative before he gets up.

Case : Woman with dentist phobia.

A sense-stimulating aid: Protac Ball Blanket™

Observed effect: "Finally after five years, I've overcome my fear and gotten my teeth cleaned. I'm really happy about this. The blanket and music made me feel more comfortable and could relax a bit so that I could have my teeth cleaned. The weight and warmth of the blanket is very nice. It's a nice aid which I plan to use again. 

Case: 59-year old woman with dentist phobia. 

A sense-stimulating aid: Protac Ball Blanket™

Observed effect: " I've been so scared to go to the dentist that as an adult, I've never gone to a regular dentist. Now I've gotten over my fear of the dentist and now that takes a burden off of me and my teeth. One of the aids that I was incredibly happy with was the Protac Ball Blanket^®. It gives me a sense of security. It causes no discomfort or inconvenience. It soothes me and I simply can't imagine being treated without it".

Users with depression

A sense-stimulating aid: Protac Ball Blanket™

Observed effect: "Before I started using the ball blanket, I was nervous and stressed and would easily slip into depressions. I heard about the ball blankets and thought that I'd give it a chance. At first I didn't feel any big difference, but after two weeks it started to feel different. I slept much more soundly and could relax in bed.
The blanket is heavy, which means that I felt a greater sense of security when laying under it.
I also notice a difference during the day: I was much more lively, could cope better, felt happier and above all: my depression disappeared! So for me, the ball blanket has worked fantastically".

Autistic, mentally challenged young woman.

She is very self-destructive and has a hard time sleeping. She was wrapped in the blanket until she fell asleep. She slept peacefully and uninterrupted. 

A sense-stimulating aid: Protac Ball Blanket™

Observed effect: The woman is happy to go to bed and the blanket helps her stay in bed. Her self-destructive behaviour has faded.

Mentally challenged woman with very limited speech and only some sign language.

Has many mood swings and on bad days reacts very aggressively toward fellow residents and staff if she is not understood or is not given enough attention.  She has a hard time  coming back down from these kinds of intense reactions and has been given strong sedatives in the past.

A sense-stimulating aid: Protac Ball Blanket™

Observed effect:  The woman was introduced to the Protac Ball Blanket™ during "cosy time and play" in her bed where she often spends time. Now in most cases she can be given the blanket instead of medication and will calm right down. It has gotten to where she sleeps with the blanket every night and asks for it if it is not in her bed already.

60-year old woman with dystonia. 

She has involuntary muscle spasms and reduced neck movement (torticollis)

A sense-stimulating aid: Protac Ball Blanket™

Observed effect:  The blanket with polystyrene balls has alleviated her physical unrest. She has gained a better sleeping pattern and is noticeably more energy in the morning. After 14 days, she's gotten enough energy to do Nordic walking exercises in the morning, which is good for the muscles.

A woman with fibromyalgia.

A sense-stimulating: Protac Polystyrene Blanket   

Observed effect: "I use the blanket to sleep as well as during the day when the pain is so bad that I can't stand it any longer. The blanket is nice and warm and helps me better notice my body. I notice that I'm able to relax better and the pain fades so that I can stand it better. The blanket is wonderful to sit with because the small balls inside help  me place my arms in a comfortable position, without it hurting.

A woman with fibromyalgia.

A sense-stimulating aid: Protac Ball Blanket™

Observed effect: "I'd been diagnosed with fibromyalgia and borrowed a ball blanket from the hospital. I use it when it feels like my body is about to break with pain. It is nice to lay it over yourself because it feels like your body is being held together. Your muscles warm up and it feels relaxing. I also use the blanket on the floor and roll myself up in it or use it as a mattress. When I sit in a chair, I wrap myself up in the ball blanket. It's a good position for reading, as I can rest my arms on the blanket".

Male resident with Huntington's disease.

Usually fumbles around in his bed and lays crosswise and lengthwise. There have been major problems with padding the bed to avoid the made injuring himself.

A sense-stimulating aid: Protac Ball Blanket™

Observed effect: After using the ball blanket, the man lays calmly in his bed. He started using the ball blanket for 30 minutes at a time and it went well. It clearly reduced his number of involuntary movements. They slowly increased his time with the blanket to one hour, then for his midday nap and then for an entire night. After this, the resident asked for the blanket on his own.

25-year old man with hypersomnia.

He cannot fall into a deep sleep at night. He is very tired during the day. He takes Ritalin to keep him awake all through the day.  

A sense-stimulating aid: Protac Ball Blanket™

Observed effect:" After I started sleeping with the Protac Ball Blanket^®, I was able to decrease my medication a bit. I feel energised in a completely different way. The Protac Ball Blanket^® wasn't able to replace my medication, but it has made my daily life a bit easier. Just waking up in the morning and being much more refreshed—there's no way to describe it, you have to experience it. I noticed the effects from day one. I fall asleep faster and have less night-time awakenings. I hope that other people with the same problem try it too".

Users with anxiety and psychosis.

A sense-stimulating aid: Protac Ball Blanket™

Observed effect: "I've been mentally ill for around nine years, and about nine months ago I got a ball blanket. My daily life is full of ups and downs, anxiety, psychotic episodes and mental imbalance. After I started sleeping with the ball blanket, I feel a greater sense of security. The blanket holds me in so I can feel the limits of my body. The blanket makes me feel warm inside. My mood swings are almost gone and I don't feel as psychotic anymore. I sleep with the blanket all night, except for in the summer months. I've also found that it's nice to have an afternoon nap with the blanket when I'm feeling bad. One tip is that if I need to feel more secure, but I don't want to feel hot, I can cover up with the ball blanket at first and then switch to a thinner blanket later".

Users at psychiatric wards

A sense-stimulating aid: Protac Ball Blanket™

Observed effect: The staff says: "We use the ball blanket almost every day in our ward. The patients find that they can better "notice" themselves and the limits of their bodies, that they're less anxious, less aggressive  and thus feel more secure. Using the Ball Blanket also means that we can use sedatives less often and we can reduce/limit our use of physical restraints. We find that the Ball Blanket prevents and curbs aggressive and destructive behaviour. Many patients ask for the blanket on their own when they need it, and in a way it gives them the help they need to help themselves".

Mentally ill user.

A sense-stimulating aid: Protac Ball Blanket™

Observed effect: "I have a mental illness. I use the ball blanket every night and sometimes during the day to collect my thoughts and calm my senses, among other things. It doesn't always go hand-in-hand.
When I'm hospitalised, sometimes I end up in the belt, but just as soon as I'm covered up with my blanket, I fall asleep and I'm released again.
I also use it when I feel aggressive or if I feel like externalising. In those situations, there's someone there to tell me I should use it and it works every time.
I didn't need to get used to it.
And now I have the cushion too, so I can sit still. I definitely recommend it. You could say that using it is like tucking yourself in, like a parent does for their child. However, it doesn't mean that you'll stay in this stage. You can collect your thoughts and you can quietly and calmly get in touch with yourself. And carry on with your life".

.

A man with multiple sclerosis and sleeping problems due to spasticity.

He has tactile problems and is so sensitive to being touched that he cannot wear clothing that covers his arms. 

A sense-stimulating aid: Protac Ball Blanket™

Observed effect: The ball blanket helps with the man's spasticity and the strong sensory stimulation has meant that he can now dress normally again. He uses the ball blanket as needed—usually a few times a week. 

35-year old woman with multiple sclerosis. She is extremely bothered by strong spasticity in both legs. 

She is affected by sensory disturbances—both as surface and depth sensitivity. She has ataxia in her right arm and pain and severe restlessness.
Her legs are restrained at night so that her severe spasms do not do harm to her. She is unable to turn over in bed and wakes up four to five times through the course of the night. Her sensory disturbances are severe and the woman has problems handling tools which she often drops out of her hands. Her ataxia heightens her physical and mental unrest.

A sense-stimulating aid: Protac Ball Blanket™

Observed effect:  The woman is introduced to the ball blanket over a 14-day period and uses it for two hours at a time or otherwise all through the night. Now she is able to turn over in bed and can avoid restraining her legs to get better sleep at night. After 14 days, she is better at holding a toothbrush and eating utensils. She has a better feel for her hands. She has fewer ataxic disturbances for up to an hour after using the ball blanket. 

Spasticity, 13 years old

From a mother: My daughter is 13 and a half years old and suffers from spasticity, and has always woken up several times in the evening and at night because she has spasms and needs to be turned over. When I picked up the ball blanket, I thought at first that I would never be able to lay it on top of my fragile little daughter. But...… it turned out to be lovely and great and relaxing and just so much more. She uses the ball blanket when sitting and relaxing in her bean bag—in fact, often her, her younger sister and I all sit under the blanket together and relax.
At first, I would take the blanket from her when she woke up around midnight, but afterwards, she slept with it for most of the night and sometimes all night long. I'm seeing for the first time since I've had her that she sleeps from the time she lays down in bed until around midnight or 1:30 a.m. There are some exceptions, of course, such as when she is sick or something else happens, but twice in the last week she has slept all through the night. It was strange for the alarm clock to go off and her not be awake at all. Fantastic—there's only one reason for this, and it's the ball blanket"!

Delayed injury after car accident.

A young man gets brain damage following a car accident. He is restless and has a very poor feel for his body and its use. The ball blanket helps him calm down and get sleep so that he can focus his energy toward concentrating on his rehabilitation.
Brain haemorrhage - hemiplegia
An elderly man has hemiplegia and is very restless as a result of a brain haemorrhage. He uses the blanket to calm down and feel the limits of the body.

Brain injury

Martin is 12 years old and has a brain injury. He is in care, was born prematurely and has suffered several brain haemorrhages on his first day. Martin is also a grossly neglected, emotionally abused child. This means that Martin grows very rigid if someone hugs him and pulls away from any physical contact, among other things. Complains that it hurts to be touched, e.g. if someone puts their hand on his shoulder.
Martin sees an occupational therapist where he learns recognise his own body and what it can and cannot do. After being advised by our occupational therapist to get a ball blanket, we've now got one as a trial.

Before getting the blanket, Martin had a very hard time sleeping and settling down at night time. He called for us all the time, saying he was thirsty, he needed to go to the bathroom, he felt hot, he felt cold—there was always something that wasn't right.
After getting the blanket, Martin falls asleep in two or three minutes after saying "goodnight", and he has even been lucky enough to fall asleep sitting in front of the TV while watching cartoons. This would have been unthinkable before we had the blanket. Martin has really profited from getting this blanket, and we hope that we can receive it through a grant. Martin is very happy with the blanket and thinks that it is wonderful. He doesn't kick the blanket off anymore either. He's gotten calmer. We are very happy to have the blanket and Martin loves it. It's still too soon to say whether it is going to change his sense of touch.
- Martin's mother

50-year old man with whiplash.

The man has pain in his neck after a car accident where he suffered whiplash. The pain makes it hard for him to calm his body, which affects his entire life situation. 

A sense-stimulating aid: Protac Ball Blanket™

Observed effect: The man experiences a calming effect on his body. The pain in his neck diminishes and he has more energy to do his daily activities.

Woman with fibromyalgia.

A sense-stimulating aid: Protac Ball Blanket™

Observed effect: I'd been diagnosed with fibromyalgia and borrowed a ball blanket from the hospital. I use it when it feels like my body is about to break with pain. It is nice to lay it over yourself because it feels like your body is being held together. Your muscles warm up and it feels relaxing. I also use it on the floor and roll myself up in the ball blanket or use it as a mattress. When I sit in a chair, I wrap myself up in the ball blanket and it's a good position for reading, as I can rest my arms on the blanket. 

Woman with fibromyalgia 

A sense-stimulating aid: Protac Polystyrene Blanket

Observed effect: I use the blanket to sleep with when the pain is so bad that I can't stand it anymore. The blanket is nice and warm and helps me better notice my body. I notice that I'm able to relax better and the pain fades so that I can stand it better. It's also wonderful to sit with because the small balls inside help me place my arms in a comfortable position, without it hurting. 

Anxiety - psychotic episodes/mental imbalance

"I've been mentally ill for around nine years, and about nine months ago I got a ball blanket. My daily life is full of ups and downs, anxiety, psychotic episodes and mental imbalance. After I started sleeping with the ball blanket, I feel a greater sense of security. The blanket holds me in so I can feel the limits of my body. The blanket makes me feel warm inside. My mood swings are almost gone and I don't feel as psychotic anymore. I sleep with the blanket all night, except for in the summer months. I've also found that it's nice to have an afternoon nap with the ball blanket when I'm feeling bad. One tip is that if I need to feel more secure, but I don't want to feel hot, I can cover up with the ball blanket at first and then switch to a thinner blanket later".

A comment from a psychiatric ward

We use the ball blanket almost every day in our ward. The patients find that they can better "notice" themselves and the limits of their bodies, that they're less anxious, less aggressive and thus feel more secure. Using the ball blanket also means that we can use sedatives less often and we can reduce/limit our use of physical restraints. We find that the Ball Blanket prevents and curbs aggressive and destructive behaviour. Many patients ask for the ball blanket on their own when they need it, and in a way it gives them the help they need to help themselves".

One user says

"I am mentally handicapped. I use the ball blanket every night and sometimes during the day. I use it to collect my thoughts and senses, among other things. It doesn't always go hand-in-hand. When I'm hospitalised, sometimes I end up in the belt, but just as soon as I'm covered up with my blanket, I fall asleep and I'm released again. I also use it when I feel aggressive or if I feel like externalising. In those situations, there's someone there to tell me I should use it and it works every time. I didn't need to get used to it. And now I have the cushion too, so I can sit still. I definitely recommend it. You could say that using it is like tucking yourself in, like a parent does for their child. However, it doesn't mean that you'll stay in this stage. You can collect your thoughts and you can quietly and calmly get in touch with yourself. And carry on with your life".

Depression

"Before I started using the ball blanket, I was nervous and stressed and
would easily slip into depressions.
I heard about the ball blankets and thought that I'd give it a chance.
At first I didn't feel any big difference, but after two weeks it started
to feel different.
I slept much more soundly and could relax in bed. The blanket is heavy, which means that I felt a greater sense of security when laying under it.
I also notice a difference during the day: I was much more lively, could cope better, felt happier, but above all: my depression disappeared.
So for me, the ball blanket has worked fantastically".

The ball blanket is used for soothing children, young people and adults who suffer from anxiety and psychotic episodes. The ball blanket is currently used in psychiatric hospitals all over Denmark and the ball blanket is also being used by an increasing number of mentally ill people at home.

Brain injury

Martin is 12 years old and has a brain injury. He is in care, was born prematurely and has suffered several brain haemorrhages on his first day. Martin is also a grossly neglected, emotionally abused child. This means that Martin grows very rigid if someone hugs him and pulls away from any physical contact, among other things. Complains that it hurts to be touched, e.g. if someone puts their hand on his shoulder.
Martin sees an occupational therapist where he learns recognise his own body and what it can and cannot do. After being advised by our occupational therapist to get a ball blanket, we've now got one as a trial.

Before getting the blanket, Martin had a very hard time sleeping and settling down at nighttime. He called for us all the time, saying he was thirsty, he needed to go to the bathroom, he felt hot, he felt cold—there was always something that wasn't right.
After getting the blanket, Martin falls asleep in two or three minutes after saying "goodnight", and he has even been lucky enough to fall asleep sitting in front of the TV while watching cartoons. This would have been unthinkable before we had the blanket. Martin has really profited from getting this blanket, and we hope that we can receive it through a grant. Martin is very happy with the blanket and thinks that it is wonderful. He doesn't kick the blanket off anymore either. He's gotten calmer. We are very happy to have the blanket and Martin loves it. It's still too soon to say whether it is going to change his sense of touch.

Brain injury

Martin is 12 years old and has a brain injury. He is in care, was born prematurely and has suffered several brain haemorrhages on his first day. Martin is also a grossly neglected, emotionally abused child. This means that Martin grows very rigid if someone hugs him and pulls away from any physical contact, among other things. Complains that it hurts to be touched, e.g. if someone puts their hand on his shoulder.
Martin sees an occupational therapists where he learns recognise his own body and what it can and cannot do. After being advised by our occupational therapist to get a ball blanket, we've now got one as a trial.
Before getting the blanket, Martin had a very hard time sleeping and settling down at night time. He called for us all the time, saying he was thirsty, he needed to go to the bathroom, he felt hot, he felt cold—there was always something that wasn't right.
After getting the blanket, Martin falls asleep in two or three minutes after saying "goodnight", and he has even been lucky enough to fall asleep sitting in front of the TV while watching cartoons. This would have been unthinkable before we had the blanket. Martin has really profited from getting this blanket, and we hope that we can receive it through a grant. Martin is very happy with the blanket and thinks that it is wonderful. He doesn't kick the blanket off anymore either. He's gotten calmer. We are very happy to have the blanket and Martin loves it. It's still too soon to say whether it is going to change his sense of touch.

50-year old man with neck pain after a car accident. He suffered whiplash.

The pain makes it hard for him to calm his body, which affects his entire life situation.

A sense-stimulating aid: Protac Ball Blanket™

Observed effect: The man experiences a calming effect on the body. The pain in his neck diminishes  and he has more energy to do his daily activities