Functional level during sub-acute rehabilitation after traumatic brain injury: Course and predictors of outcome

Objectives: To describe the functional level during sub-acute rehabilitation after moderate and severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) and to evaluate the impact of pre-injury and injury-related factors as predictors of early recovery.Material and methods: A prospective study of 55 patients with moderate (n = 21) and severe (n = 34) TBI who received specialized, inpatient rehabilitation. Functional level was assessed by the FIM. Possible predictors were analysed in a regression model using FIM total score at discharge as outcome.Results: At discharge from sub-acute rehabilitation, on average 53 (±24) days post-injury, 57% of moderate TBI patients and 91% of severe TBI patients were still disabled with a FIM score < 126. The disability was mild (FIM 109–126) in 95% with moderate TBI and in 62% with severe TBI. The disability was severe (FIM < 72) in 24% with severe TBI. Only one patient did not improve. Predictors of functional level at discharge from rehabilitation were Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score at reha...