Outcomes from milieu-based neurorehabilitation at up to 11 years post-discharge

Outcome in patients with brain injury after milieu-based day treatment neurorehabilitation was examined at up to 11 years post-discharge. Follow-up data in this cross-sectional study were sought from all admissions since May 1986 to May 1998 at 3 months, 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11 year intervals. The 164 participants who responded had heterogeneous brain injury aetiologies and represented 73.9% of all patients who were successfully discharged from the programme. Rates of productivity (defined as gainful employment, school, and/or volunteer work) and employment (defined as work for pay) were examined in this follow-up sample. The results demonstrate that 83.5% of patients were productive up to 11 years post-discharge, with 67.1% engaged in work or school, and no decline in productivity was seen over time from discharge. Better vocational/school outcomes were associated with younger age, male gender, and higher staff working alliance ratings of patients and their families.