The importance of early rehabilitation in traumatic brain injury

• Main Authors: Mohammad Eghbali, Hamidreza Khankeh, Abbas Ebadi
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Tehran University of Medical Sciences 2020-04-01
• Series: Nursing Practice Today
• Subjects: brain injury; rehabilitation; inpatient rehabilitation; early rehabilitation
• Online Access: https://npt.tums.ac.ir/index.php/npt/article/view/961
• ISSN: 2383-1154; 2383-1162

Traumatic brain injury, known as a silent epidemic, is considered as one of the leading causes of injury and disability and is a major health-related concern worldwide. Based on the level of consciousness, TBI is usually divided into three types of mild, moderate, and severe. Moderate to severe brain injury, as compared to mild brain injury, often results in long-term disorders that require more rehabilitation interventions. People with brain injury suddenly develop physical, cognitive, behavioral, and emotional disorders that can lead to severe disabilities, especially regarding their work, productivity, and social and family responsibilities. Therefore, it is essential to provide support for recovery and regaining independence through rehabilitation interventions. Early rehabilitation is one of the most important phases of rehabilitation which is crucial to maintain and improve brain function, improve quality of life, and prepare the patient to return to their daily activities of and community participation. According to studies and guidelines, early rehabilitation care can be categorized into three classes of early specialized thorough care, purposeful and patient-centered care, and teamwork care. Accurate recognition of the components of early rehabilitation and its implementation can lead to reduced hospital stay, reduced medical costs, improved neurological function, improved quality of life, and thus the patients’ successful return to work and community.