Reducing Use of Physical Restraint: A Pilot Study Investigating a Relationship-Based Crisis Prevention Curriculum

The use of physical restraint in residential treatment programs continues to be a topic of debate. Yet, there is a scarcity of empirical research on effective methods for reducing both the need and the use of physical restraint. Without such evidence, there is no clear direction on how to improve staff practices when working with students experiencing emotional and behavioral challenges. Consequently, it has been difficult for programs to develop clear, consistent, and definitive efforts to reduce restraint practices and eliminate unnecessary restraint. In an effort to improve program practices, we designed and piloted a relationship-based crisis prevention curriculum. In this article we discuss the pilot study and briefly outline curriculum features. Pilot study results reveal a statistically significant reduction in restraint, a shift in attitudes about prevention and need for restraint, and a positive trend in staff preparation. Additionally, the social validity of the curriculum and future directions for practice and research are discussed.