Do patients with traumatic brain injury benefit from physiotherapy? A review of the evidence

Physiotherapy is an integral component of the management of patients with traumatic brain injury. This paper reviews the evidence that physiotherapy is effective in the management of these patients. The three specific areas addressed here are the effect of physiotherapy on: (1) range of movement, abnormal muscle tone, quality of movement, balance and conscious level; (2) the ability to perform functional tasks; and (3) outcome in areas such as independence in daily living, vocational and social domains. There is evidence that techniques such as casting or splinting may be effective in improving restricted range of movement after traumatic brain injury. However, there is either no research or such limited data that it is not possible to draw any firm conclusions regarding the effect of physiotherapy on quality of movement, balance, conscious level, the ability to perform functional tasks or outcome of this patient group. The need for research into all aspects of physiotherapy management for traumatically brain-injured patients is highlighted.