Antecedent assessment and intervention to reduce physical restraint (protective holding) of children and adolescents with acquired brain injury

This research concerned antecedent assessment and intervention to reduce physical restraint (protective holding) of children and adolescents with acquired brain injury and serious challenging behaviors (aggression, self‐injury, property destruction). Study I was an assessment of antecedent conditions associated with protective holding among 15 students attending a community‐based residential school. Conceived as a descriptive assessment, we identified several environmental influences that set the occasion for protective holding. Study II describes how information gathered from antecedent assessment was used to formulate an intervention that reduced frequency of protective holding with one student. Clinical implications are discussed.