What type of study is this?

This is a Qualitative Study study.

September 10, 2025

Content and Feasibility of Interventions to Reduce Mechanical Restraint Use in Adult Forensic Mental Health Inpatient Settings: A Qualitative Study of Service Users’, Relatives’, and Staff’s Perceptions in Denmark

Key Points

Strengthening relationships is essential for reducing mechanical restraint in forensic mental health settings.
Seven key intervention categories were identified, including building relationships and applying de-escalation methods.
Qualitative interviews were conducted with service users, relatives, and staff, providing diverse insights into perceptions.
The findings may inform future practices aimed at improving collaboration and reducing the use of mechanical restraint.

Abstract

Introduction Most interventions aimed at reducing mechanical restraint (MR) have not been adapted to forensic mental health settings (FMHS) and rarely consider the perspectives of service users (SUs), relatives, and staff. Aim To investigate the perceptions of SUs, relatives, and staff regarding the content and feasibility of seven interventions to reduce MR use in adult FMHS. Methods We conducted semi-structured, one-on-one, and group interviews with SUs, relatives, and staff within an FMHS and analyzed the data using content analysis. Results Seven categories were produced: building relationships, expanding patient-related knowledge, applying de-escalation methods, optimizing staffing levels, increasing availability, improving collaboration, and promoting professional staff attitudes. Conclusions Strengthening relationships is fundamental to the feasibility of most interventions aimed at reducing MR episodes. SU–staff relations depend on staff’s knowledge of and genuine engagement with SUs, while staff–staff dynamics are built on trust and collaboration.

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