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Perception During and After Physical Restraint in Psychiatric Patients

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 April 2020

G. Fugger
Affiliation:
Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
A. Gleiss
Affiliation:
Medical Statistics Informatics and Intelligent Systems Institute of Clinical Biometrics, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
P. Baldinger
Affiliation:
Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
A. Strnad
Affiliation:
Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
S. Kasper
Affiliation:
Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
R. Frey
Affiliation:
Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria

Abstract

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Background

Although discussed controversially, coercive practices during involuntary admission are common in mental health services. The impact of physical restraints on patients has not been sufficiently studied.

Aims

To investigate the subjective perception of patients during and after physical restraint.

Method

47 patients in a psychiatric intermediate care facility experiencing belt fixation were interviewed and filled out self-assessment forms at 4 visits.

Results

The median duration of restraint was 99 hours. Median VAS scores indicated moderate levels of anxiety. With increasing time span from the fixation, memory regarding this event decreased and patients experienced a regain of self-control. Consistently, 50% perceived high levels of coercion at admission, PTSD could be supposed in 25% of the patients.

Conclusion

Despite a considerable restraint of freedom, distress related to belt-fixation seems acceptable in our sample. Patients’ disapproval concerning restraint measures seems to diminish with time, probably related to decreasing memory regarding the fixation practice.

Type
Article: 0656
Copyright
Copyright © European Psychiatric Association 2015
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