Paper Title
A LITERARY REVIEW: NON-PHARMACOLOGICAL INTERVENTIONS FOR REDUCING AGITATION IN PATIENTS WITH ACUTE BEHAVIORAL DISTURBANCES IN THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT

Abstract
Acute behavioral disturbances (ABDs) are a common problem in emergency departments (EDs), and can lead to increased stress for both patients and staff. Non-pharmacological interventions (NPIs) are a promising approach for managing ABDs, as they can help to reduce the need for physical or chemical restraints. However, there is limited evidence on the effectiveness of NPIs for ABDs in the ED setting. This systematic review aimed to identify and evaluate the effectiveness of NPIs for reducing agitation in patients with ABDs in the ED. A comprehensive search of the literature was conducted using PubMed, Embase, and PsycINFO. Studies were included if they met the following criteria: Published in English, reported on the use of NPIs for ABDs in the ED, and measured agitation using a validated scale. A total of 12 studies were included in the review. The most common NPIs reported were de-escalation techniques, such as verbal interventions and distraction. Other NPIs included environmental modifications, such as reducing noise and crowding, and providing a quiet space. The results of the review showed that NPIs can be effective in reducing agitation in patients with ABDs in the ED. However, the quality of the evidence was low, and more research is needed to confirm these findings. NPIs are a promising approach for managing ABDs in the ED. However, more research is needed to determine the most effective NPIs and to develop guidelines for their use Keywords - Mental Health, Emergency Department, Agitation, Non-Pharmacological Intervention, Psychosis, Altered Mental Status, Aggressive Behaviour