Vestibular Rehabilitation, ed 2 (Contemporary Perspectives in Rehabilitation Series).

Herdman SJ, ed. Philadelphia, PA 19103, FA Davis Co, 2000, hardcover, 597 pp, illus, ISBN: 0-8036-0444-0, $69.

What was good about the first edition of this text has been enhanced in the second so that the best descriptor for this second edition is "excellence." The second, and more comprehensive, edition updates and expands upon the information in the first, and it retains most of the original contributors. The original 18-chapter book now contains 25, and new case studies in a decisionmaking format have been added along with problem-solving scenarios, a diagnostic flow chart, and 5 new chapters in the "Rehabilitation Assessment and Management" section. The wealth of new information makes this revised text a "must have" for most physical therapists.

The book is well written, current, comprehensive, and contains abundant illustrations and references. The intended audience ranges from physical therapist students to therapists with extensive experience in vestibular rehabilitation. Noteworthy contributors include 13 physicians, a speech pathologist, an occupational therapist, and 8 physical therapists from the United States, German, and Australia.

As in the first edition, this book is organized into 4 sections: "Fundamentals," "Medical Assessment," "Medical Management," and "Rehabilitation Assessment and Management." Appropriately, section 1 is written by physicians and physical therapists, sections 2 and 3 are written by physicians, and section 4 is written almost entirely by physical therapists. Topics new to this edition include migraine-related dizziness, psychological management, cervical vertigo, elderly people with vestibular deficits, assessment of otolith dysfunction, and physical therapy diagnosis. Information on normal function of the vestibular system is updated and new assessment tools are described.

The section "Medical Assessment" is interesting, particularly when one compares the references and comments of one author with another. For instance, in chapter 5, a physician defines benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) as being canalithiasis, whereas in chapter 6 it is described as cupulolithiasis. In chapter 19, co-authored by the editor, a physical therapist, a distinction is made between the 2 disorders, followed by appropriate assessment and treatment protocols. The editor's ability to distinguish between the 2 disorders makes one proud to be a physical therapist!

Section 4, "Rehabilitation Assessment and Management," is the largest section (240 pages), and it is the one of most interest to physical therapists. While some repetition occurs among chapters, the information on specific assessments, problem identification, goal setting, treatments, and reassessment is comprehensive, interesting and of great assistance to the physical therapist who treats patients with vestibular disorders. Practitioners will appreciate the many assessment tools, along with information on the reliability, validity, and predictability of each. Support for evidence-based practice is reported in this section.

Other professionals who may find this book useful as a reference include physical therapist assistants, occupational therapists, audiologists, otolaryngology nurses, otolaryngologists, gerontologists, family practitioners, and physiatrists.

Sondra E Dunkle, PT, EdD Pocatello, Idaho 

Dr Dunkle is a former physical therapy professor with special interest in gerontology and balance and vestibular disorders.