Reducing and eliminating restraint of people with developmental disabilities and severe behavior disorders: an overview of recent research.

Hall (2010) scanned the previous decade of studies on restraint use in people with developmental disabilities. The paper is a narrative review, not a new experiment. It gathers what others tested about cutting or ending physical holds, straps, and locked seclusion.

The author looked at work done with children and adults who have severe behavior disorders. No single method or number is highlighted. Instead, the review maps the field so readers can see what has been tried.

The review shows that many programs aimed to lower restraint, but it does not pick a winner. It simply lists studies that reported fewer holds after staff training, new behavior plans, or policy changes.

Because the paper gives no pooled data, it cannot say which tactic works best. It only confirms that restraint reduction is a live topic with many small reports.

Smith (2008) comes just before this review and argues that restraint has zero proven benefit and should be phased out. Hall (2010) echoes the same theme but adds more recent citations, acting like a sequel that updates the reading list.

Brosnan et al. (2011) move one step further. Their systematic review shows that clear behavioral packages cut aggression in kids with developmental disabilities. This gives practitioners concrete tools to replace restraint, filling the gap that Hall (2010) leaves open.

Werner et al. (2025) show the idea in action. Their OBM package sliced mechanical restraint by about 80% in adult residential homes. This real-world result extends the story that Hall (2010) starts: organizations can drop restraint fast when they use data, feedback, and staff contingencies.

If your clinic still uses holds as part of behavior plans, this review signals it is time to stop. Pair it with later work like Brosnan et al. (2011) and Werner et al. (2025) to pick proven replacements such as DRA, antecedent changes, and OBM systems. You will walk away with both the moral reason and the practical tools to cut restraint next quarter.