Variations in definitions used for describing restrictive care practices (seclusion and restraint) in adult mental health inpatient units: a systematic review and content analysis.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

The main purpose of this review was to (1) identify thematic elements within definitions used by recently published literature to describe the constructs of physical/mechanical restraint, seclusion and chemical restraint in adult mental health inpatient units.

Methods

We conducted a comprehensive literature search of six databases (Scopus, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Web of Science, Embase, and CINAHL-Plus). In this review, we conducted content analysis to synthesize evidence to understand and compare the commonalities and discrepancies in conceptual elements that were incorporated within the definitions of different forms of restrictive care practices.

Results

A total of 95 studies that provided definitions for different forms of restrictive care practices [physical/m

SUBMITTER: Muluneh ZB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11790767 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature