Does intensive rehabilitation improve the functional outcome of patients with traumatic brain injury? Interim result of a randomized controlled trial

To evaluate the effects of intensive rehabilitation on the functional outcome in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI), we carried out a randomized controlled assessor-blind trial, comparing two groups of patients receiving different intensities of rehabilitation treatment (2 versus 4 h per day). Patients with moderate and severe TBI, aged from 12 to 65 years, were included. Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) and Functional Independent Measurement (FIM) were assessed monthly. The interim results of 36 cases showed that there was a trend of more patients in the study group achieving full FIM scores, and good GOS at 2 and 3 months, but the control group appeared to be catching up towards 6 months. Intensive rehabilitation may improve the early functional outcome of TBI patients. The interim results indicate that the study should be continued. Copyright © 2001 The Neurosurgical Foundation.