Physical Restraint Education Programs for Intensive Care Unit Nurses : A Scoping Review

Purpose : This scoping review aimed to map the characteristics, components, and outcome measures of nursing education programs related to physical restraint for intensive care unit nurses, and to identify implications for future program development. Methods : Following Arksey and O’Malley’s five-stage framework, four Korean and five international databases were searched for studies published between January 2000 and September 2025. Records were screened and selected using predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria, and data were charted to summarize the study characteristics, educational components, and outcome measures. Results : In total, 662 relevant records were identified; after removing duplicates and screening, 15 studies were included in the analyses. These studies were conducted across six countries, mostly in the United States and South Korea, and the number of publications increased. Most studies had used quasi-experimental or pre–post designs, including quality improvement projects, with one randomized controlled trial. Educational programs varied widely in duration and intensity, and most were multi-component, combining lectures, printed materials, discussions, multimedia, and practical training. Educational content addressed policy and guidelines, appropriate application, and alternative interventions. Additionally, these programs incorporated decision support tools and documentation or communication strategies. The outcomes most commonly included nurses’ knowledge, attitudes, and patient-level indicators such as restraint use rates and safety-related events. Conclusion : Physical restraint education programs for intensive care unit nurses were diverse and frequently multi-component, with a growing emphasis on practice-facilitating strategies such as alternative interventions and decision support tools. Future studies should clearly report educational intensity and evaluate both nurse- and patient-level outcomes using more standardized measures.