Effectiveness of non-pharmacological interventions to reduce the use of physical restraint in mental health settings: a systematic review protocol

Abstract

Review question/objective The objective of this review is to synthesize the best available evidence on the use of non-pharmacological interventions to reduce the use of physical restraint in mental health settings in adults aged 21 to 65 years with acute or chronic mental illness including dementia. Inclusion criteria Types of participants This review will consider studies that include male and female residents aged from 21 to 65 years with acute or chronic mental illness (including dementia) residing in mental health settings (such as acute and long stay inpatient settings, residential care, and nursing homes with patients with mental health conditions). Patients with learning disabilities and drug, alcohol or substance abuse will be excluded. Types of interventions This review will consider studies that evaluate any non-pharmacological approaches. Non-pharmacological approaches are interventions with no direct effects on a specific biological target. Examples of non-pharmacological interventions may include structured frameworks or programs that aim to reduce or prevent the use of physical restraint such as behavioral, crisis, early or educational interventions or a combination of various interventions and programs. The effectiveness of non-pharmacological interventions to reduce physical restraint will be compared to usual care. Types of outcome measures This review will consider studies that include one or more outcome measures of physical restraint. This may include, but will not be limited to, the number of times physical restraint was applied, the duration of physical restraint or the rate that physical restraint was applied.