The Benefits of Exercise in Individuals with Traumatic Brain Injury: A Retrospective Study

Objective:This study examined the benefits of exercise Design:A retrospective study Setting:A community- based sample Participants:A sample of 240 individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI) (64 exercisers and 176 nonexercisers) and 139 individuals without a disability (66 exercisers and 73 nonexercisers) Main Outcome Measures:Scales measuring disability and handicap. Results: It was found that the TBI exercisers were less depressed than nonexercising individuals with TBI, TBI exercisers reported fewer symptoms, and their self-reported health status was better than the nonexercising individuals with TBI. There were no differences between the two groups of individuals with TBI on measures of disability and handicap Conclusions:The findings suggest that exercise improves mood and aspects of health status but does affect aspects of disability and handicap