Physical Therapy for TBI Recovery

A traumatic brain injury (TBI) can affect much more than memory and concentration. For some individuals, recovery also involves relearning how to walk comfortably, maintain balance, manage dizziness, and return to everyday physical activities.

Recovering From A Traumatic Brain Injury

Physical therapy addresses these challenges through individualized rehabilitation based on a patient's symptoms, functional abilities, and recovery goals.

How Physical Therapy Supports Recovery

Depending on the injury, physical rehabilitation may include:

• Balance and vestibular training: Exercises addressing dizziness, stability, and movement coordination.

• Gait rehabilitation: Structured activities to improve walking and functional mobility.

• Strength and flexibility: Targeted exercises addressing weakness, stiffness, and physical endurance.

• Functional movement: Practicing everyday activities to support greater independence.

A systematic review published in NeuroRehabilitation examined eight studies involving 259 individuals with TBI. Researchers found that evidence comparing different physical therapy approaches for improving balance remained limited, highlighting the importance of individualized treatment and further research [1].

Following a traumatic brain injury (TBI), disruptions to physical movement, balance, and coordination typically involve specific, interconnected networks of the brain. TBI CENTER NEW YORK

Brain Regions Responsible for Movement, Balance & Coordination

Several areas of the brain work together to control physical movement. Each plays a different role in planning, initiating, adjusting, and coordinating the body's actions.

Key Anatomical Regions

Brain Region	Primary Function
Primary Motor Cortex	Initiates voluntary movements, such as walking, reaching, and grasping.
Premotor Cortex	Plans and prepares movements.
Supplementary Motor Area	Organizes movement sequences and coordinated actions.
Cerebellum	Helps maintain balance, coordination, and movement accuracy.
Basal Ganglia	Helps initiate and regulate movement patterns.
Somatosensory Cortex	Processes touch and body-position information to help adjust movements.
Brainstem	Supports posture, muscle tone, and balance-related functions.

Why This Matters in TBI Recovery

An injury affecting these interconnected regions may contribute to difficulties with walking, balance, coordination, or physical control. Understanding their functions helps explain why neurological physical therapy often combines strength, mobility, balance, and movement-based exercises.

The accompanying 3D anatomical illustration provides a visual reference for these regions and their roles in physical movement.

What Does Clinical Research Tell Us?

Research offers encouraging findings for certain rehabilitation approaches.

A 2024 systematic review and meta-analysis found that vestibular rehabilitation helped reduce perceived dizziness in individuals with mild traumatic brain injury [2].

Another systematic review of randomized controlled trials found that aerobic exercise may help improve persistent symptoms following mild TBI, although the quality of available evidence varied [3].

These findings support the role of appropriately selected physical activity in rehabilitation, rather than a one-size-fits-all treatment plan.

Understanding Your Rehabilitation Options

At TBI Center of New York, our focus is helping patients, medical practitioners, and legal professionals better understand the diagnostic and rehabilitation resources available following a brain injury.

Through our network of independent medical professionals and contracted facilities, we help coordinate access to appropriate neurological evaluation and rehabilitation resources.

Learn more about our Physical Therapy for TBI service and how movement-based rehabilitation may fit into an individualized recovery plan.

Recovery looks different for everyone. The goal is to help each person work toward safer movement, improved function, and greater independence.

Clinical References

[1] Alashram AR, et al. (2020). Effects of physical therapy interventions on balance ability in people with traumatic brain injury: A systematic review. NeuroRehabilitation, 46(4), 455–466.View study on PubMed

[2] Aljabri A, et al. (2024). The Efficacy of Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy for Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation, 39(2), E59–E69.View study on PubMed

[3] Vuu S, et al. (2022). Physical exercise for people with mild traumatic brain injury: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials. NeuroRehabilitation, 51(2), 185–200.View study on PubMed

This article is provided for educational purposes and does not replace medical advice or an individualized rehabilitation assessment.