Abstract
A 40-year-old male patient, 9-days post moderate-severe traumatic brain injury, was provided acute care physical therapy treatment. The patient was seen 20 times across 6 weeks, and treatment was provided by a student physical therapist under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist. The patient was evaluated with the Rancho Los Amigos Levels of Cognitive Function, Functional Independence Measure, 6 Minute Walk Test, Tinetti Performance-Oriented Mobility Assessment, Berg Balance Scale, and Disability Rating Scale, and a plan of care was established to address severely impaired cognition, balance, and gait, leading to decreased functional independence. Main goals for the patient were to improve independence with transfers and ambulation and improve balance performance. Main interventions used were early mobilization and functional, task-specific training, including over-ground gait training and transfer and balance training. The patient improved across cognitive, motor, and functional tasks, including the achievement of measurable improvements in walking endurance and balance performance. The patient was discharged to inpatient rehabilitation to maximize his recovery of safe mobility and functional independence.