Antecedent analysis of therapeutic restraint in children and adolescents with acquired brain injury: a descriptive study of four cases

Abstract

Therapeutic restraint is sometimes required as a component of clinical intervention for persons who have serious behaviour disorders. However, there are few studies that describe empirically the conditions under which restraint is utilized. This project was a retrospective analysis of incident reports on the application of therapeutic restraint with four students (ages 10-16 years) who had acquired brain injury and attended a community-based programme of education and neurorehabilitation. Specifically, situations and interactions were examined that were in effect immediately prior to the implementation of restraint. This antecedent analysis identified several common influences, as well as effects that were unique to individual students. The role of antecedent events as 'precipitants' to restraint and respective treatment implications are discussed.