Therapeutic holding: outcomes of a pilot study

1. Although decreasing the use of seclusion and restraints in the management of aggressive children is a critical issue facing pediatric psychiatric inpatient programs, finding effective alternatives has been a difficult challenge. 2. Therapeutic holding appears to be as effective as seclusion and restraint with respect to managing aggressive behaviors in the psychiatrically disordered child. 3. Therapeutic holding has the potential to reduce the episodes of mechanical restraints and to be perceived by children as less punitive.