The efficacy of acquired brain injury rehabilitation.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this review was to investigate the efficacy of rehabilitation interventions in acquired brain injury (ABI) rehabilitation to provide guidance for clinical practice based on the best available evidence.


METHODS
A systematic review of the literature from 1980-2005 was conducted focusing on rehabilitation interventions for ABI. The efficacy of a given intervention was classified as strong (supported by at least two randomized controlled trials (RCTs)), moderate (supported by a single RCT), or limited (supported by other types of studies in the absence of RCTs).


RESULTS
The majority of interventions were only supported by limited evidence. However, there is moderate evidence that inpatient rehabilitation results in successful return to work and return to duty for the majority of military service members, increasing the intensity of rehabilitation reduces length of stay and improves short-term functional outcomes, and that direct patient involvement in neurorehabilitation goal setting results in significant improvements in reaching and maintaining those goals.


CONCLUSIONS
There is a need for studies of improved methodological quality into ABI rehabilitation.
Cullen
Nora
N
Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, Toronto, Ontario. Cullen.Nora@torontorehab.on.ca
Chundamala
Josie
J
Bayley
Mark
M
Jutai
Jeffrey
J
D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006801:Humans; D008889:Military Personnel; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D019145:Rehabilitation Nursing; D012050:Rehabilitation, Vocational; D012657:Self-Help Groups; D012944:Social Support; D016896:Treatment Outcome