A rapid method for teaching severely brain injured adults how to wash and dress

The use of a rapid method of teaching a severely brain injured patient to wash and dress is described. The patient, who was injured in an automobile accident eight months earlier, remained dependent in self-care after five months in an acute rehabilitation unit. He was then transferred to a Transitional Living Facility where the program was performed. The patient's physical and cognitive status remained unchanged during the program which lasted for 12 treatment days, but he did become independent in washing and dressing. Independence was maintained at six-month follow-up. Issues relating to the individual's severe memory impairment are discussed in terms of the relevance of such impairments to outcome of training techniques.