Question: In medium and low secure services, what are the most effective interventions for reducing violence in service users?

Answer:

Plain language summary

There is limited high quality evidence into interventions for reducing violence in service users. High quality research is needed in this area to adequately assess the effectiveness of interventions for reducing violence in service users.

Clinical and research implications

Evidence about the effectiveness of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) interventions for reducing violent or aggressive behaviour in service users is inconclusive; studies do not report sufficient information to allow adequate interpretation and findings were inconsistent.  There is no evidence to support the use of other psychological interventions. There is some evidence to suggest that clozapine may be more effective than olanzapine or haloperidol for reducing violent behaviour.

Further research is needed to assess longer-term and comparative effects of psychological interventions and to confirm findings about pharmacological interventions.

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