Abstract: Objective To compare short- and long-term outcome of rehabilitation in different age patients with severe traumatic brain injury. Methods 116 patients with severe traumatic brain injury aged 18~65 years were divided into 18~44 years old group and 45~65 years old group. They were assessed with Mini-Mental Status Examination (MMSE), simplified Fugl-Meyer Motor Functional Assessment, Fugl-Meyer Balance Assessment, modified Barthel Index (MBI) and Disability Rating Score (DRS) before and 3 months after rehabilitation. And they were followed up with DRS 1 year after discharge. Results All the indexes improved 3 months after rehabilitation (P<0.01). After 1 year of follow-up, the DRS scores continued to decline in both groups, especially in the 18~44 years old group (P<0.05). Conclusion Early rehabilitation can improve the limb function and activities of daily living of adult patients with severe traumatic brain injury, especially in younger people.

Key words: traumatic brain injury, age, rehabilitation, Disability Rating Scale