JOURNAL ARTICLE
RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL
Add like
Add dislike
Add to saved papers

Subjective distress after seclusion or mechanical restraint: one-year follow-up of a randomized controlled study.

OBJECTIVE: Patients who participated in a randomized controlled trial comparing subjective distress and traumatic impact after seclusion or mechanical restraint were interviewed about the coercive measure about one year later.

METHODS: Between May and December 2006, patients were interviewed about one year after experiencing seclusion or mechanical restraint as an inpatient. Items from the Coercion Experience Scale (CES) were used in the original and the follow-up studies to assess distress on a 5-point scale, with higher scores indicating greater distress. Patients were also asked about subjective feelings about the coercive measure and completed the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) to assess symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

RESULTS: Sixty (59%) of the 102 patients in the original sample were included for follow-up. Although the original study found no differences between patients who experienced seclusion or mechanical restraint, the follow-up study found significantly higher mean scores for CES items among patients who had experienced mechanical restraint (2.5 and 3.7, respectively, p<.001). IES-R scores did not differ significantly. IES-R scores for two patients who experienced mechanical restraint and one who experienced seclusion indicated probable PTSD. Patients reported experiencing a wide range of negative feelings during the measure, most frequently helplessness, tension, fear, and rage. However, 58% reported some positive effects. Contact with staff was most helpful in alleviating distress during the coercive measure.

CONCLUSIONS: Contrary to the original study, the follow-up study suggested that seclusion might be a less restrictive alternative for most patients. The incidence of PTSD seemed lower than expected.

Full text links

We have located links that may give you full text access.
Can't access the paper?
Try logging in through your university/institutional subscription. For a smoother one-click institutional access experience, please use our mobile app.

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app

Mobile app image

Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app

All material on this website is protected by copyright, Copyright © 1994-2024 by WebMD LLC.
This website also contains material copyrighted by 3rd parties.

By using this service, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy.

Your Privacy Choices Toggle icon

You can now claim free CME credits for this literature searchClaim now

Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app