Physical Therapy for Traumatic Brain Injury.

This text represents a significant compilation of papers surveying important topical issues for the rehabilitation clinician managing the patient with traumatic brain injury. The issues addressed by the book, not only cover traditional motor impairments and disabilities, but also review issues in the medical, cognitive, and community-based domains. Although chapters are written by different individuals, the book is characterized by strong writing that achieves a consistency not commonly observed in texts of this type.

The book begins with a chapter reviewing the medical and physical therapy management of individuals with traumatic brain injury in the acute medical environment. Sullivan skillfully elucidates an important conceptual theme of considering the level of handicap in designing a treatment strategy in her chapter on cognitive rehabilitation. Zablotny presents concepts of the comprehensive evaluation and treatment of swallowing impairments. Utley and Thomas introduce theoretical and case study information about the orthotic management of lower-limb deformities that are often refractory to common treatment and result in significant levels of disability and handicap. Other chapters in the text address issues of complicated range-of-motion impairments, strategies to restore motor control, wheelchair seating and positioning, and reconstructive surgery of the upper and lower limbs. Serial casting principles are reviewed, as is current thinking in regard to the application of motor learning principles for this population. The text closes with a nicely written chapter by Rosenthal and O'Leary reviewing community integration issues from a conceptual, clinical, and methodological viewpoint that reinforces the continuum of care needed for these patients.

I would recommend this text for the physical therapist, physical therapist assistant, and other rehabilitation clinicians involved with the management of the individual with traumatic brain injury. Students will find selected chapters of this text of great value in preparing for the management of these patients.

Robert W Sandstrom, PhD, PT Immanuel Rehabilitation Center Omaha, Neb

Dr Sandstrom is coordinator of education and research at Immanuel Rehabilitation Center. He has published papers on staff education and development and outcome management in rehabilitation.