Prevalence and factors associated with restraints in mental health in-patient wards

Restraints in mental health in-patient settings can negatively affect recovery. This study aimed to examine the prevalence and associated factors of restraint use. A retrospective cohort study was conducted in a rural NHS mental health trust in the UK, covering all adult in-patients from July 2020 to July 2021.

The prevalence of restraint was 34%. Factors associated with restraint included age 18-25 or ≥65 years, female gender, disability, long-term sickness benefits, detention under the Mental Health Act, frequent admissions and a diagnosis of depressive or severe mental illness. Statistically significant associations were found for age ≥65 years (odds ratio 3.920), Section 2 detention (odds ratio 5.72), more than ten previous admissions (odds ratio 5.672) and depressive disorders (odds ratio 3.478).

Restraint use remains common and is linked to identifiable risk factors. These findings support the need for targeted interventions to reduce restraint, particularly for high-risk patient groups.