Recovery from a traumatic brain injury (TBI) requires extensive rehabilitation and can take many months or even years. The rate of recovery slows down as time passes and may never be complete, with certain effects caused by the brain injury being permanent. The degree and rate of recovery can vary widely. Some individuals with severe injuries may recover to an extent that their long-term difficulties may be relatively mild. Others who suffer from traumatic brain injury may require rehabilitation for everyday adaptive living or special services during their lifetimes.
In the immediate aftermath of brain injury, physiological changes such as swelling, bleeding or changes in brain chemistry can affect the functioning of the brain tissue. Surgery may be required to reduce swelling and relieve pressure within the brain. Once the patient has been stabilized and has regained consciousness, the rehabilitation process may begin.
There are several factors that can affect the outcome of recovery such as age, location and severity of the injury making it difficult to predict the final outcome even after extensive rehabilitation. Factors that affect neurological and psychological recovery from TBI include:
Rehabilitation after a traumatic brain injury must adhere to certain guidelines referred to as TBI Rehabilitation Guidelines. The guidelines can take different forms which all share common characteristics. These are:
The guidelines were formulated to help health care professionals in the decision making process and require their professional judgment along every step of the way. The guidelines put the interest and needs of the individual with TBI first by helping to identify their likely needs based on the severity of their injuries. They do not specify the treatment required at different stages or who should be in charge of the rehabilitation process at different stages.
The guidelines called for constant monitoring of the patient’s condition by a team of healthcare professionals. An assessment of the patient’s condition should be followed by a plan that addresses the patient’s immediate needs. Implementation of the plan is then undertaken and the stage of the rehabilitation process is constantly monitored. This is once again followed by a thorough assessment of the changes in the patient’s condition followed by planning, implementation and monitoring. The process is an ongoing one.
The rehabilitation exercises for patients with traumatic brain injury will depend on which part of the brain function has been affected. For those whose speech has been affected, a speech therapist will formulate a series of exercises that can help to improve speech function. Those suffering from a partial paralysis will require physiotherapy exercises that target the affected parts.
Studies show that about 50% to 60% of those suffering from TBI enjoy a good recovery with mild to moderate disability. About 25% of patients do not survive and the rest suffer from long-term disabilities that affect their quality of life.
Some of the common problems faced by survivors are neuropsychological problems and behavioral changes as well as physical disabilities.
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