Rehabilitation of the severely brain-injured patient

This paper attempts to analyze retrospectively the functional outcome of 75 patients with severe head injury treated consecutively on an inpatient Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service. In terms of the outcome relative to regained skills of self-care and ambulation, the results provide evidence that early rehabilitation intervention is medically and therapeutically desirable. However, the potential of this group of patients for a socially and vocationally functional life is indeed limited. This does not conform to the experience of others who indicate a 50-90% rate of return to work.