Physiotherapy May 2002/vol 88/no 5

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Churchill Livingstone, Edinburgh2002, 2nd edn (ISBN 0443 06440 7). 293 pages

edited by Susan Edwards £22This book aims to provide a comprehensive overview ofcurrent clinical practice in neurological physiotherapy forboth clinicians and student physiotherapists. As such it isquite broad-ranging with more specific detail given on whatare thought to be key areas of physiotherapy practice.

Some significant additions have been made to the contentof the book when compared with the first edition. The initialchapter written by Margaret Mayston is of use in setting thecontext in which neurological physiotherapy is practised.The historical perspective, followed by more recentdevelopments and explanation about current theories ofmotor control are relevant and essential to understandingthe wider issues in neurological rehabilitation.

The chapter by Jennifer Freeman discusses assessment,goal setting and outcome measurement. Specific ident-ification of key elements for assessment is useful and linkswell with the analysis of normal movement in the followingchapter.

The section on nerve-muscle interaction has beenupdated and provides a comprehensive overview of keyresearch related to muscle changes following neurologicalinsult.

Drug treatment of neurological disability is addressed in a rounded and easily readable style.

The model produced by Pauline Pope to evaluate dynamic

success, static success and failure of therapy intervention isused in this book to provide a useful overview of the rangeof outcome in both acute rehabilitation and complexdisability management.

The section on splinting and the use of orthoses has beenchanged to provide detailed instructions on themanufacture of soft and scotchcast combination splints. Thishas been well done with many photographs and provides auseful guide to this area of practice.

The chapter discussing treatment considerations has beensubdivided by different clinical presentations of muscletone. While this is one way of distinguishing betweendifferent presentations of the upper motor neuronesyndrome, it might be advantageous to incorporate both thepositive and negative features in each example. One way todo this would be to discuss different clinical presentations interms of the movement disorder elements present in eachcondition, eg stroke.

Surprisingly, no mention is made of fitness and strengthtraining in individuals following neurological impairment.This is a growing area of intervention and some reference tothis in the text might have been helpful.

Overall this book provides a comprehensive view of neuro-logical physiotherapy and its practice in the UK. It offers a good introduction to the area for students and newly qualified therapists, with some key areas of practiceexpanded to give more detail. This book would be valuablefor reference purposes for any physiotherapist working inthe field of neurological physiotherapy.

Stephen Ashford MSc PGCE BSc MCSP

Neurological Physiotherapy

Aspen, Gaithersburg, Maryland2000, 4th edn (ISBN 0 8342 1732 5). Illus. 340 pages

by Robert Sine, Shelly E Liss, Robert E Roush, J David Holcomb and Georgianna Wilson $43This is an easy-to-read well-set-out publication with goodsections on pathology.

The remainder of this publication however leaves a lot tobe desired. The authors do not seem to consider wheelchairmobility as independence and suggest somewhat confusingactivities to progress through towards achieving indep-endent gait.

Some areas suggest out-dated practices such as stumpbandaging for amputee patients, while current practiceadvocates the use of purpose-made stump shrinkers.

Manual handling is a further area of concern throughout the publication, with what we consider potentiallydangerous activities being depicted. While trainedhealthcare professionals would easily be able to identifypotential risks, the public at large could be led to com-promising health and safety.

The chapter on wheelchairs and pressure sores isappropriate for professionals with basic knowledge in theseareas. The chapters on patient compliance and themultidisciplinary approach to chronic pain managementwould provide a good base for newly qualified practitioners.Question reviews at the end of each chapter are a goodconcept.

In summary this is a book which we do not feel wouldbenefit rehabilition departments.

Zoe Smith BSc MCSPMaria Gulvin BSc MCSP

Basic Rehabilitation Techniques A self instructional guide

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