Nasogastric tube feeding under physical restraint: understanding the effects on parents and how to support them

Abstract

Background Nasogastric tube (NGT) feeding under physical restraint is a clinical intervention that may be required when a child or young person is medically unstable secondary to restrictive eating. Aim To explore the experiences of parents when their child receives NGT feeding under physical restraint and understand the effects of this on them. Method This is a secondary analysis of data from two previous studies on NGT feeding under physical restraint – one in mental health wards and one in children’s wards – in which semi-structured interviews had been conducted with patients, staff and parents. For this secondary analysis, the authors thematically analysed 31 transcripts of interviews with parents. Findings Parents reported a range of emotions which could be conflicting in nature, notably relief and shame. In both studies, parents understood the necessity of NGT feeding under physical restraint but experienced the intervention as traumatic. They expressed empathy for staff facilitating the restraint. In the children’s wards study, some parents described conflict and damaged relationships with staff, and three parents had participated in physically restraining their child for NGT feeding. Conclusion Nursing staff should be aware that NGT feeding under physical restraint is distressing for parents. Adopting a trauma-informed framework may help to mitigate the traumatic effects on parents and, in turn, on their child.