Improving the Use of Sensory Approaches in an Acute Inpatient Mental Health Unit Using a Co-Designed Multifaceted Implementation Strategy.
Lisa Wright, Pamela Meredith, Sally Bennett and 1 others
PMID 39370529WHAT IT FOUND
Overall sensory approach use did not increase enough to be sure after the ward programme, although sensory kits/trolleys, weighted items and sensory plans were used more often.
Seclusion and restraint events fell, but the counts were too small to test.
Key findings
01The overall use of sensory approaches by staff did not increase enough to be sure, but staff reported using sensory kits/trolleys, weighted modalities and personal safety or sensory plans more often.
02Seclusion and restraint events fell, but the counts were too small to test.
03Staff perceived knowledge and confidence increased, but actual knowledge and attitude did not.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for OTs
Read the rest of this summary
You get three full summaries a month, free, and we do not ask for a card. Search, the TL;DRs and your library stay unlimited either way.
What it does not show
The study was done in one acute mental health ward, so the results may not apply elsewhere. There was no control or comparison group, so other changes over the same period cannot be ruled out. Only 19 staff answered both questionnaires, because many staff left or rotated during the project. The staff reported their own use of sensory approaches, which may not match what actually happened. The implementation strategy had seven parts, so the effect of any single part cannot be separated. COVID-19 restrictions delayed equipment, training and meetings, and changed how the strategy was delivered. Seclusion and restraint counts were too small to test whether the reduction was real. The questionnaire outcomes were staff knowledge, confidence, attitude and reported use.
Declared interests
One author was employed at the mental health service where the study was conducted. The other authors declared no competing interests. The funder is named as The Common Good.
The easy way to misread this
Do not conclude that sensory approaches reduced seclusion and restraint. The events fell from 3 to 2 seclusion episodes and 4 to 1 restraint episode, but the counts were too small to test, and the ward already had a committee working on restrictive practices.