Researchers looked at how well hospitals and rehab centers feed patients recovering from serious brain injuries. They found that most studies only looked at whether patients got food through tubes or by mouth, but didn’t test which foods or nutrients actually help recovery. Out of 17 studies covering over 1,700 patients, only one actually tested a specific nutrition treatment. This shows we need much more research to figure out the best ways to feed brain injury patients during their long recovery process.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: How hospitals and rehab centers provide nutrition care to adults recovering from moderate to severe brain injuries
  • Who participated: Over 1,700 adult patients with serious brain injuries who were staying in rehabilitation hospitals or long-term care facilities
  • Key finding: Only 1 out of 17 studies actually tested a specific nutrition treatment - most just observed what was already happening
  • What it means for you: If you or a loved one has a brain injury, ask healthcare providers about nutrition plans, but know that research is still catching up on best practices

The Research Details

This was a scoping review, which means researchers searched through medical databases to find all studies about nutrition care for brain injury patients in rehab settings. They looked at studies published between 2010 and 2024, focusing only on adults with moderate to severe brain injuries who were in rehabilitation or long-term care facilities. The researchers wanted to see what we know about feeding these patients and what gaps exist in our knowledge.

Brain injury patients often have trouble eating normally and need extra nutrition to heal their brains. Most research has focused on patients in intensive care units right after their injury, but patients spend much longer in rehabilitation facilities where nutrition is equally important.

The review followed strict scientific guidelines and searched major medical databases thoroughly. However, the researchers found very few high-quality studies that actually tested nutrition treatments - most just observed what was already happening in hospitals.

What the Results Show

The researchers found 17 studies with a wide range of participants, from as few as 7 patients to as many as 1,701. Most studies (16 out of 17) simply observed what nutrition care was already being provided rather than testing new approaches. Ten studies looked at how patients received nutrition - whether through feeding tubes, by mouth, or both. Four studies checked patients’ nutrition status to see if they were getting enough nutrients. Three studies examined specific nutrients like protein or vitamins, and one looked at eating behaviors like swallowing difficulties.

The studies showed that brain injury patients often struggle with eating normally and frequently need feeding tubes. Many patients don’t get enough calories or protein during their recovery. Some studies found that patients gradually improved their ability to eat regular food over time, but this process was often slow and required careful monitoring.

Unlike research in intensive care units, which has many studies testing different nutrition approaches, rehabilitation settings have been largely ignored by nutrition researchers. This creates a knowledge gap because patients spend much more time in rehabilitation than in intensive care.

The biggest limitation is that almost no studies actually tested whether specific nutrition treatments work better than others. Most studies were small and just described what was already happening. The studies also used different ways to measure success, making it hard to compare results.

The Bottom Line

Healthcare providers should closely monitor nutrition in brain injury patients during rehabilitation, but we need more research to know the best approaches. Patients and families should ask about nutrition plans and whether the patient is getting enough calories and protein.

This research is most relevant for brain injury patients, their families, and healthcare teams in rehabilitation hospitals. It’s less applicable to patients with mild brain injuries or those still in intensive care.

Brain injury recovery is typically a long process lasting months to years. Nutrition support may be needed throughout this time, but we don’t yet know the optimal duration or intensity.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track daily calorie and protein intake, noting whether food is eaten by mouth or through feeding tubes
  • Work with healthcare providers to gradually transition from tube feeding to regular eating when medically appropriate
  • Monitor weight, energy levels, and eating abilities weekly during rehabilitation, with monthly assessments of overall nutrition status

This information is for educational purposes only and should not replace medical advice. Always consult with healthcare providers about nutrition care during brain injury recovery, as individual needs vary significantly.