Maximising relational capabilities and minimising restrictive practices in acute mental health units: the Safe Steps for De-escalation evaluation.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

De-escalation is widely endorsed as an intentional strategy to replace and reduce restrictive practices in acute mental health units. However, high-quality evidence for its effective implementation remains limited. In response, a pragmatic, complexity-informed evaluation was undertaken to generate empirical support for the impact of an intervention, Safe Steps for De-escalation, on restrictive practices. The intervention centres on a four-step framework for therapeutic responding, with implementation supported by co-designed training and restrictive practice reviews.

Methods

A mixed concurrent control study was conducted in three adult inpatient units in New South Wales, Australia, from March 2023 to April 2025. A priori weighted linear, linear mixed

SUBMITTER: Daguman EIV 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12630031 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature