Background: Physical restraints as bedrails and belts are still regularly applied in German nursing homes despite clear evidence showing their lack of effectiveness and safety. In a cluster-randomized controlled trial, the efficacy of a guideline-based multicomponent intervention has been shown with a significant reduction in physical restraints use without adverse events. The present study aims to apply different versions of the original intervention in nursing home residents in four different regions throughout Germany in order to evaluate the effectiveness of the programme.