The association of rehabilitation and war.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the assumed association of war and the development of rehabilitation through a review of the pertinent literature.


METHODS
Search in the Medline databases from 1942-2002 for papers that described the impact of war on rehabilitation services and their practice, and the study of the relevant identified reports. The following search terms were used: history of rehabilitation, medicine and war, rehabilitation and war, rehabilitation of war casualties.


RESULTS
In WWI physical and occupational therapy became adjuncts in the treatment of military orthopaedic casualties, artificial limb services were set-up and workshops and factories for vocational rehabilitation were created. During WWII further developments occurred, mainly in the field of amputation of limbs and spinal cord injuries. Additional advances took place in all armed conflicts after WWII, particularly in the field of brain injury.


CONCLUSIONS
The literature review indicates that the assumed association of rehabilitation and war is correct. Rehabilitation services have developed partly in association with war and the experience of rehabilitating war casualties supplied valuable principles and practices to rehabilitation medicine enriching the specialty and contributing to the health care systems of the involved countries.
Eldar
Reuben
R
Loewenstein Hospital-Rehabilitation Centre, Raanana, Israel. eldrub@netvision.net.il
Jelić
Miroslav
M
D001208:Asia; D005060:Europe; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D026761:Physical Therapy Specialty; D012047:Rehabilitation Centers / Q000458:organization & administration; D014481:United States; D014728:Veterans; D014857:Warfare; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000534:rehabilitation