[Neuropsychological fields in early neurotrauma rehabilitation]

It meanwhile is commonly accepted that early onset of specific rehabilitation intervention in traumatic brain injured patients will enhance the recovery of brain function. The integration of neuropsychology in the early treatment of traumatic brain injury can mainly be ascribed to the increasing recognition that cognitive, personality and emotional deficits have been the most devasting longterm problems faced by patients and their families. The aim of our paper is to illustrate the role of neuropsychology in the early stage of rehabilitation. Neuropsychological therapy and the application of appropriate tests depend on the level of consciousness and the extent of behavioural problems. Observation, cognitive screening tests and the use of valid neuropsychological tests make up the main approaches. Our rehabilitation program includes measures of sensory and cognitive stimulation. Improvement of attention and stimulation of cognitive functions are one of the most important aims of early neuropsychological therapy. We choose tasks which require automatic information processing, the retrieval of well established knowledge and implicit learning. Appropriate tests and the development of neuropsychological treatment programmes represent an important means of maximising the patient's capacity to benefit from early rehabilitation.