Peculiarities of physical therapy for patients after traumatic brain injury

Eglė Franckevičiūtė, Aleksandras Kriščiūnas

Department of Rehabilitation, Kaunas University of Medicine Hospital, Lithuania

Key words: traumatic brain injury, rehabilitation, physical therapy.

Summary. Literature review data about methods and means of physical therapy for patients after traumatic brain injury is presented in this article. Traumatic brain injury is an urgent medical and social problem all over the world. It is the most common cause of disability in Lithuania. Patient rehabilitation after traumatic brain injury is divided into two periods: acute and subacute. In the beginning of rehabilitation physical therapist evaluates patient’s functional status, later he uses methods and means of treatment, and evaluates effectiveness of rehabilitation. Early verticalisation is very important for patients with coma. Physical therapy consists of prevention of complications, improvement of muscle force, and range of motions, balance, movement coordination, endurance and cognitive functions. Early rehabilitation is necessary for traumatic brain injury patients and use of physical therapy methods can help to regain lost functions and to come back to the society.

Correspondence to E. Franckevičiūtė, Department of Rehabilitation, Kaunas University of Medicine Hospital, Eivenių 2, 50009 Kaunas, Lithuania. E-mail: egle_77@yahoo.com

Received 26 May 2004, accepted 8 November 2004