special subjects
Rehabilitation for Other Disorders
Brain injury
The term head injury is often used interchangeably with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) (TBI). Abnormalities vary and may include muscle weakness, spasticity, incoordination, and ataxia; cognitive dysfunction (eg, memory loss, loss of problem-solving skills, language and visual disturbances) is common. Rehabilitation is indispensable for maximal functional recovery. Such intervention includes prevention of secondary disabilities (eg, pressure injuries, joint contractures), prevention of pneumonia, and family education. As early as possible, rehabilitation specialists should evaluate patients to establish baseline findings. Later, before starting rehabilitation therapy, patients should be reevaluated; these findings are compared with baseline findings to help prioritize treatment. Patients with severe cognitive dysfunction require extensive cognitive therapy, which is often begun immediately after injury and continued for months or years. 