Vestibular Rehabilitation.

This textbook is a long-awaited edition for clinicians working in the area of vestibular rehabilitation. The book is written at a professional level: teaching those individuals entering this area; providing review and insight to those individuals currently working in this area; and providing a wealth of information, clinical, and research ideas with supportive references for all levels of professionals. The contributing authors are well-known and respected individuals in the clinical and research areas of vestibular physiology and rehabilitation.

The 18 chapters are divided into four sections: "Fundamentals," Medical Assessment," "Medical Management," and "Rehabilitation Assessment and Management." Section 1, "Fundamentals," has a progressive approach that begins with the basic anatomy and physiology of the vestibular system and ends with outcomes following unilateral vestibular deafferentation. The chapter on anatomy and physiology is written in such a way that the reader is given a 3-D view of the system. A chapter incorporating the vestibular system and other sensory systems in the regulation of postural control is followed by a chapter on dysfunction in the postural system, resulting from vestibular disorders. The remaining 3 chapters pertain to peripheral vestibular dysfunction and resultant sensorimotor changes. These chapters provide the foundation for vestibular rehabilitation.

The sections on medical assessment and medical management provide an extremely important review of the subjective and quantitative methods used to assess vestibular function. An important chapter on audiologic assessment and management is also included. The chapters on medical management include pharmacologic and surgical management of vestibular disorders, as well as differential diagnosis and management of vestibular disorders due to a central origin. Information on neuro-otologic disorders due to migraine concludes the comprehensive review of these sections.

The fourth section is a six-chapter sequence addressing all possible entities that can be assessed and treated by the rehabilitation therapist. Conditions covered include vestibular hypofunction, bilateral vestibular loss, benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, traumatic brain injury, and treatment in children with developmental disorders. Each chapter is comprehensive, including the foundation research and postulates for management and treatment, guidelines for treatment approaches, and treatments used to manage that particular disorder. Each chapter includes a case study. The authors present a variety of approaches and treatments used to treat the particular disorder. None of the chapters provide a "cook-book approach", instead, each author provides sufficient information for a clinician to make an effective clinical decision.

The text is a welcome addition to any therapist working with patients who have vestibular disorders. A therapist beginning to work in this area will find the text a guide that will provide sound rationale for treatment. An experienced therapist will find this resource an excellent review that continues to stimulate the reader.