During 35 minutes you can see the most important steps on early rehabilitation after acute brain lesions in a scientific movie by Klaus R.H. von Wild*, Sascha Skudelny** and Federico Hernández-Meyer***. The scientific movie can be ordered to kvw@neurosci.de

Objectives : Today, increasingly more patients with brain lesions survive the acute stage, however, suffering from severe impairment of higher cerebral functioning (WHO-ICF). Early neurorehabilitation can significantly improve functioning and patients' reintegration.
Methods : Functional rehabilitation is an original task of neurosurgery. Impairments refer to loss of structures and functions. Disabilities refer to limitations or participating restrictions. Functioning is an umbrella term encompassing all body functions, activities and participation. Neurorehabilitation needs a multidisciplinary team approach.
Results : The essential aspect in early rehabilitation is the integration of disciplines and consistent goal setting to regard individual patients' needs. Good structural organization of the team, notice of basic communication rules, conflict management and a definite decision making increase productive interdisciplinary working. The movie shows the team approach and the daily work on the special ward. Reintegration is demonstrated in two patients.
Discussion : Obviously the impairment of mental-cognitive and neurobehavioral functioning and not the loss of physical skills will cause patients' loss of life transactions and final outcome. Rehabilitation is possible because of the individuals' neural plasticity.
Conclusion : Functional rehabilitation is a process whereby patients who suffer from impaired higher cerebral functions following injury or disease regain their former abilities or, if full recovery is not possible, achieve their optimum physical, mental, social and vocational capacity. It aims at patients' reintegration. In order to facilitate such goals neurosurgeons should start with team approach as early as possible and will have to work in close collaboration with the neuropsychologist and all other members of the team every day.

Technical data:
Title: Early rehabilitation in neurosurgery after acute brain lesions: How to humanize restoration of human skills.
Scientific movie.
Duration 35 minutes.
Klaus R.H. von Wild*, Sascha Skudelny**, Federico Hernández-Meyer***
*Professor of Neurosurgery, Medical Faculty University of Münster, Germany. Professor of Neurorehabilitation and Re-engineering of brain and spinal cord lesions, International Neuroscience Institute, Hannover, Germany.
** Creative Director, Center for Media Studies and Media Production, Siegen Institute of Media Sciences, University of Siegen, Germany.
***Mag. Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical and Medical Communications, ProJu - Agency for Internet and online Journalism, Av. Andalucía 78, 18198 Huétor-Vega (Granada), Spain.