A current dilemma: Does the use of restraints as a therapeutic technique guarantee the dignity of the person?

Abstract

Background: Restraint as a therapeutic technique has been controversial over time. It is currently limited to emergency situations involving risk to the patient’s life or third parties. Objective: To know therapeutic techniques for restraining the person, review their side effects, and promote good practice. Methodology: Literature review related to the containment of people. Interpretative analysis of information gathered from documents, articles, books, and laws, using Gadamer’s hermeneutics. Results: We reflected on restraint use for containing patients as a therapeutic measure over time. We investigated the ethical aspects and examined the legislative framework in depth. The implications that this practice may have for health personnel were analyzed. Conclusion: It is necessary to promote comfort care measures that mitigate and limit the use of restraint in the person with behavioral disorders and/or special needs, thus guaranteeing their rights and dignity.