Relationship of sociodemographic and clinical characteristics to mechanical restraint used in a psychiatric hospital in Spain
Authors: Cañabate Ros Montserrat , Almodóvar Fernández Isabel , Martínez Madrigal María , Benito Delegido Ana , Luna Ibañez Carlota , Haro Gonzalo 
Published: July 2024

Background

Coercive measures have been applied in mental health fields throughout history, denying people with mental illness the ability to decide, even though there is increasing evidence that these measures bring few benefits to these individuals.

Objective

The objective of this study was to analyse the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics most likely associated with the use of mechanical restraints (MRs) in psychiatric hospital settings.

Design, Settings and Participants

This was a descriptive, comparative and analytical cross‐sectional study in people with mental disorders who were hospitalized in two hospitals in the Autonomous Valencian Community (Spain). We included a total of 91 participants who completed the Scale to Assess Unawareness of Mental Disorder (SUMD), Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), Barrat's Impulsiveness Scale and the Hamilton Anxiety Scale.

Results

The results we collected indicated that the patients most likely to be mechanically restrained were younger people with less awareness of their symptoms and disease, previous admissions to a psychiatric hospital and cohabitation with parents and/or family. In addition, having been admitted involuntarily, previously having had MRs applied, presenting more positive psychotic symptoms and habitual caffeine consumption all predicted the use of MRs.

Conclusions

The variables that were able to predict MR were involuntary admission, previous use of MR, the presence of positive psychotic symptoms and caffeine consumption.

Implications for the Profession and/or Patient Care

Evaluation of the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of patients can help health professionals, especially nurses, to recognize patients who are at risk of requiring MR. This allows mental health practitioners to take these factors into account during interventions or when implementing programmes designed to reduce the use of coercive measures in psychiatric hospital settings.

Impact

What problem did the study address? Coercive measures have been applied in mental health fields throughout history, with no benefits to these patients.

What were the main findings? There are studies that relate some variables to MR in psychiatric settings, but we have been able to find variables capable of predicting MR such as involuntary admission, previous use of MR, the presence of positive psychotic symptoms and caffeine consumption.

Where and on whom will the research have an impact? The findings of this study allow for the reduction of MRs in psychiatric units. The sociodemographic and clinical characteristics found to be related to MR will help professionals identify when a patient is admitted in order to use specific interventions aimed at preventing the use of MRs during admission. This is the first study to indicate a relationship between caffeine consumption and the use of MRs. Further studies will be necessary to verify if controlled caffeine supplementation during admission to psychiatric units could become an additional strategy contributing to preventing the application of MR specifically in individuals who habitually consume coffee or caffeine‐containing beverages daily.

Reporting Method

We have adhered to relevant EQUATOR guidelines using the STROBE reporting method.

Patient Contribution

No patient or public contribution.