Zarshenas et al (Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 100, 1274–1282 (2019)) tracked cognitive and motor recovery patterns in 85 patients with brain injuries. While the researchers collected data for nine months, most patients’ motor and cognitive gains were concentrated to just the first few weeks of inpatient rehabilitation. Patients who partook in the most complex therapy activities had the best long-term outcomes in both domains. The authors discuss that a patient’s number of pre-existing conditions is a more practical means of predicting their recovery potential. These conditions may include hearing, vision, and balance impairments.
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