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Rehabilitation
Rehabilitation supports everyday function by helping people regain abilities, maintain them or adapt to lasting changes.
#Function and participation are the central goals
WHO describes rehabilitation as interventions that improve functioning and reduce disability while taking the person's environment into account. Its everyday focus includes communication, movement, eating, self-care and participation in education, work or family life. Rehabilitation can be relevant after illness, injury or surgery and when functioning changes with age.
A goal might concern doing a meaningful task with greater independence, rather than curing the underlying disease. The person's priorities shape the plan. This page explains the concept; it cannot assess a person's rehabilitation needs or predict their recovery.
Evidence: WHO: rehabilitation
#Rehabilitation is broader than an exercise programme
WHO's examples include speech and language training, adapting a home, learning to use an assistive product and psychological support. It describes a workforce that may include physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech and language therapists, audiologists, rehabilitation doctors and nurses. Which approaches and professionals are involved depends on the need.
The environment and the way a task is done can matter as well as physical capacity. No particular exercise, device or therapy is recommended here. Mynd does not provide rehabilitation assessments, equipment fitting or therapy services.
Evidence: WHO: rehabilitation
#It can accompany other treatment
WHO says rehabilitation complements medical and surgical care. It rejects the idea that rehabilitation is only for long-term physical impairment or is a last option after other treatment fails. It can take place in hospitals, clinics and community settings, including homes, schools or workplaces.
Ask the care team which goals are realistic, how progress will be assessed and how rehabilitation fits with other care. Access and service arrangements vary. A general account of potential benefits is not a promise that a particular person will regain a specific function.
Evidence: WHO: rehabilitation
Source note
The sections above were checked against the linked sources. No clinical review has been performed. This is general research education, not a clinical guideline.