Patient guides Neurorehabilitation
Acquired Brain Injury: Specialist Summary
Acquired brain injury is damage to brain tissue caused by head trauma, brain haemorrhage, lack of oxygen after cardiac or respiratory arrest (hypoxia), infection (such as meningitis or encephalitis) or brain tumours. It can affect walking, arm and hand use, movement, speech, swallowing, thinking, behaviour and mood; effects vary widely with the location and severity of the injury. Multidisciplinary rehabilitation, started promptly after acute medical care, is the core approach to regaining function. Robotic therapy can add to therapy at every stage.
When to see a doctor
- Emergency: after head trauma, loss of consciousness, worsening headache, repeated vomiting, seizure, increasing drowsiness, confusion, one-sided weakness, fluid from the ear or nose, or any unusual sign; any head injury in people taking blood thinners
- Headache, forgetfulness, attention problems, dizziness or sleep disturbance lasting days to weeks after a mild injury
- During rehabilitation: a new seizure, behavioural change, swallowing difficulty or decline in function
Treatment options
- Acute phase: managed by neurosurgery, intensive care and neurology teams
- Neurorehabilitation: physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and swallowing therapy, cognitive rehabilitation and psychological support
- Robotic therapies in neurorecovery: supporting walking and arm-hand training
- Brain stimulation: methods such as rTMS, tDCS and vagus nerve stimulation are under research and may be carefully considered alongside rehabilitation in some patients
- Managing complications: spasticity, pain, sleep, mood, heterotopic ossification (unwanted bone formation around joints) and seizures
Prof. Dr. Engin Çakar plans rehabilitation programmes individually after assessment, within the DrCakar NeuroRecovery Method.
Frequently asked questions
Is recovery after brain injury limited? Recovery varies from person to person. Brain plasticity is the basis of rehabilitation, but the outcome cannot be predicted with certainty.
Can a mild head injury have lasting effects? Symptoms resolve in most people; persistent complaints should be assessed, and some cases need follow-up.
How can the family help? By learning about the condition, structuring daily routines and working closely with the team.
Sources
Turkish version: doktorfizik.com/rehber/beyin-hasari/