Neurological Disturbances and Self-extraction Behavior: A Review

A Neurological disturbance describes the sudden onset of aggressive and violent behavior and autonomic dysfunction, typically in the setting of acute on chronic drug abuse or serious mental illness. It is mainly associated with delirium, dementia, and other behavioral disorders which are also collectively known as acute behavioral disturbances (ABD). Self-extraction behavior is common among patients admitted with neurological disturbances associated with certain medical and surgical disorders. The clinical characteristics of self-extraction behavior are pulling out of tubes, IV lines, interrupting medical treatment, and interfering with nursing procedures. Research literature was reviewed with regard to self-extraction behavior and its associated factors. A literature search was conducted with the following search terms, keywords, and phrases: self-extraction behavior and neurological disturbances. Totally 25 articles were reviewed by using the databases such as PubMed and Google Scholar, based on the criteria of clinical variables, demographic variables and self-extraction behavior. A considerable debate exists regarding the influencing factors for self-extraction behavior in patients with neurological disturbances. From this review, we infer that there are various contributing factors which influence the increased prevalence of self-extraction behavior among patients with neurological disturbances. The identified contributing factors are associated with clinical variables of patients. Research literature supports the necessity for understanding the associated risk factors for self-extraction behavior.