Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a leading cause of disability and is frequently accompanied by significant lean body mass loss and malnutrition during prolonged hospitalization. Although nutritional demands in TBI patients are high, intake is often poorly documented. This randomized clinical pilot study compared nutrient intake between a standard hospital diet and a calorie-dense, high-protein finger food diet in six TBI patients initiating oral feeding. Results showed participants consumed only about half of estimated nutritional needs, with no significant differences between diets, though dinnertime intake was lower on the standard diet. Findings inform strategies to optimize nutrition therapy in TBI rehabilitation.
