Physical restraints were found to be in use for nearly 20% of more than 500 adults living in group homes in Sweden in the week preceding the study. 99.2% of these had been subjected to more than one type of restraint.

The authors concluded physical restraints are frequently used in Sweden and that physical impairments and behavioural symptoms were significantly associated with their use.

Use of Physical Restraints With People With Intellectual Disabilities Living in Sweden’s Group Homes., Lundström, M et al, in Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities, 8: 36–41.