Severe brain injury: intensive family involvement in community-based rehabilitation.

A 15-year-old boy, severely brain injured as a result of a motor vehicle accident, was in coma for six weeks. Five months after the injury, while still severely disabled, he was taken home and treated by an intensive, organised domiciliary programme of community-based rehabilitation supplemented by additional help from the local hospital. The patient regained function, and the programme was emotionally rewarding for the relatives, friends and volunteers. Significant cost savings to the State may be obtained with this method of management.