Functional and psychosocial outcome one year after severe traumatic brain injury and early-onset rehabilitation therapy.

Abstract

This study evaluates the impact of early-onset continuous rehabilitation treatment on the 1-year outcome of patients after severe traumatic brain injury. Immediately after recovery from mechanical ventilation, a total of 48 patients underwent a complex early rehabilitation treatment until they were discharged from hospital and local ambulant care was deemed sufficient. The follow-up examination took place 12 months after trauma. Data reveal that at 1 year 91.6% of the patients were completely or restrictedly independent of care and capable of carrying out activities of daily living, although they frequently were still suffering from marked behavioural and also from certain sensorimotor deficits. Only 45.8% of the patients were obviously able to work without restrictions or had returned to work. In those subjects who were not or only very restrictedly able to work, behavioural and speech deficits were significantly more frequent. Behavioural and speech deficits seem to represent the major cause that hinders professional reintegration. Rehabilitation therapy therefore should be specifically directed to improve these deficits.