Physical Restraints in People With Intellectual Disability: A Scoping Review

Area of Science:

• Disability Studies
• Healthcare Research
• Psychology

Background:

• Physical restraints (PR) are frequently employed for individuals with intellectual disability (ID).
• The psychological and health consequences of PR use are often negative, yet their benefits remain poorly understood.
• Existing research lacks a unified definition of PR, hindering evidence comparability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review and synthesize the evidence on the use of physical restraints in people with intellectual disability.
• To identify gaps in the research regarding PR prevalence, associated factors, interventions, and experiences.
• To highlight the need for standardized definitions and participatory research methods.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive scoping review of 42 studies (37 quantitative, 5 qualitative) examining PR use in community and residential settings.
• Studies were primarily from the United Kingdom and United States.
• Analysis focused on prevalence, influencing factors, interventions, and user experiences.

Main Results:

• The review identified varied definitions of PR across studies.
• Research explored prevalence, factors associated with PR use, interventions to reduce PR, and experiences with PR.
• No studies incorporated participatory design involving individuals with ID.

Conclusions:

• A consensus definition for PR and related concepts in the context of ID is crucial for improving evidence comparability.
• Increased emphasis on involving people with ID in health research is recommended.
• Further research is needed to clarify the benefits and risks of PR in this population.