Recovery of cognitive function during comprehensive rehabilitation after severe traumatic brain injury
José León-Carrión, María Rosario Domínguez-Morales, Juan Manuel Barroso y Martín, Umberto Leon-Dominguez
DOI: 10.2340/16501977-0982
Abstract
Objective: To explore the course and timing of functional recovery in patients who have emerged from coma after undergoing severe traumatic brain injury.
Methods: An observational study involving 19 patients with traumatic brain injury recovered from coma who underwent holistic, intensive and multidisciplinary neurorehabilitation. Daily performance in each cognitive function (long-term memory, short-term memory, orientation, calculation, attention, mental control, automation, and planning) was clinically scored and compared at admission and discharge.
Results: The course of cognitive recovery after post-traumatic coma is not uniform, offering a curve with many ups, downs and plateaus. To achieve a good response and outcome nearing normalcy, a patient needs over 300 h of intensive rehabilitation.
Conclusion: The consolidation of functional recovery in patients with traumatic brain injury requires time and adequate training, and discharge is not recommended until cognitive improvement is established.
Lay Abstract
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