[Regaining of function following severe head injury. From primary rehabilitation to 2 years after the injury].

72 patients with sequelae after severe traumatic brain injury were studied during primary rehabilitation and two years post-injury. The patients were grouped into two main categories, one dependent as regards activities of daily living (ADL) and one mainly independent group. Most of the dependent patients, except seven low level patients close to a vegetative state, showed marked functional recovery. Among the independent patients, those who were admitted to primary rehabilitation relatively early (< 60 days post-injury) and those who were allowed a longer stay upon first admission to hospital showed better progress in functional level scores than those who were admitted later and were allowed a shorter stay during primary inpatient rehabilitation.