what does scientific research say about the therapeutic value of restraint and seclusion?

Scientific research generally indicates that restraint and seclusion in psychiatric or mental health settings have limited therapeutic value and are mostly associated with negative physical and psychological consequences. Evidence shows that these interventions can cause harmful outcomes such as increased incidence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), feelings of punishment and distress, revival of past trauma, and other adverse effects like deep vein thrombosis and hallucinations. While some patients report feeling safer or helped by seclusion, these positive perceptions are less common and highly variable. Seclusion tends to be better accepted than restraint or forced medication because it is perceived as less invasive, yet restraint is often less tolerated. Objective measures of effectiveness, such as symptom intensity and medication need, suggest restraint and seclusion are comparably effective but do not clearly support therapeutic benefits. Overall, the therapeutic benefits are unclear, and there is a call for more research, with emphasis on the negative consequences and the need to minimize use or find alternative methods. Therapeutic interactions may help reduce the negative impacts when such measures are unavoidable.