Is mental health staff training in de-escalation techniques effective in reducing violent incidents in forensic psychiatric settings? - A systematic review of the literature.

Background: Inpatient violence is a relevant issue in forensic psychiatric settings. Relevant guidelines recommend that restrictive measures are to be used exclusively if de-escalation and other preventive strategies have failed and there is a risk of harm to patients or staff if no action is taken. However, restrictive measures are untherapeutic and can be harmful.