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drawings to black and white litho- graphs, and include a large number of reproduced sEMG traces. Partic- ularly useful are the flow diagrams used to demonstrate many of the processes involved. Key points in the text are reinforced by use of boxed bullet points. These further serve to summarise processes or information succinctly.

Each chapter is well supported by full reference lists, containing contemporaneous works; there are also lists of suggested reading, found primarily within the applica- tion sections.

Overall the authors make a number of reasonable assumptions: first that readers have some expe- rience of sEMG applications, and secondly that they appreciate the nature and causative factors attrib- uted to the more frequently encoun-

tered chronic musculoskeletal pain syndromes. This book should not be considered for purchase, therefore, unless one feels comfortable with these concepts.

It should also be noted that it deals with the topics outlined above, and thus an understanding of various pathologies is taken for granted.

It is likely that in the United Kingdom this book will have limited sales within the physiotherapy profession. The concepts and modality as outlined do not form a major part of our clinical practice. It may indeed find a larger market from within the psychology profes- sion. However, for those specialising in this area and wishing to develop their clinical applications this text will be very useful.

Grahame D Pope MCSP DipTP

Practical Management of Asthma by Tim Clark and John Rees. Martin Dunitz, London 1998 (3rd edn), (ISBN 1 8531 7 587 0). Illus. 176 pages. f29.95.

This book offers a concise and logical account of current asthma management. The authors felt a third edition was necessary to keep in line with the ‘accelerating’ changes in this field. Chapters cover diagnosis, history and precipitation of asthma, and then move on t o a more in-depth discussion of the acutelchronic management, includ- ing a paediatric approach.

Close reference is made throughout the book to the British Thoracic Society Guidelines on the management of asthma.

An emphasis on the important role of general practitioners is apparent, with one chapter devoted to this, and another to their role in patient education. However, this is not to say that the book is directed a t GPs; it would also be a very use- ful source for respiratorylpractice nurses, respiratory physiotherapists (or senior 11 level with a respiratory interest), and perhaps a source of reference for medical or physio- therapy students.

The book provides a relatively easy to read text, which is appropri- ately supplemented with numerous charts, tables and photographs. These are either evidence-based to

back up statements, or are inserted purely t o demonstrate a concept, and improve one’s level of under- standing. As the authors readily acknowledge, the book is not a specialist treatise, but is compre- hensive and written in enough detail for the needs of those to whom it is aimed.

Only a small section on physio- therapy is included in the ‘physical management’ chapter, but this does not mean that the book would not be useful to a physiotherapist. Any clinician who has contact with asthma patients would benefit from the overall management picture portrayed. There i s also a chapter on drug delivery, which covers nebulisation and inhaler therapy in some detail, which was interesting and well referenced.

The book itself is well presented and of good quality. Many of the diagrams and photographs are printed in colour, and the layout makes it very readable. Certainly it is written and set out in an under- standable and logical fashion. I t would be an appropriate book for clinicians with a special interest to own, and definitely a useful depart- mental or library book.

In summary, I found this to be an up-to-date and beneficial text.

Paula McNaughton MCSP

Mental Health Practice in Geriatric Health Care Settings by PeterA Lichtenberg. Haworth Press, 10 Alice Street, Binghamton, NY 13904- 1580, USA, 1998 (ISBN 0 7890 0435 6). 212 pages. $30. The author of this book reviews the research available relating to mental health and elderly patients. He evaluates various assessment tools and comments on the clinical implications of the results. I t is interesting t o note that the data reveal that age, education and sex are important factors in the prevalence of some mental health problems, such as cognitive func- tion, but unrelated to other mental health problems such as depression. It is something to be aware of when assessing older adults.

As a physiotherapist working in mental health, I found the chapter ‘Influence of cognition on health outcomes’ interesting. The author suggests that in older medical reha- bilitation as well as assessing mechanical function, cognitive performance should be assessed, as too often professionals set unrealis- tically high goals for dementing patients.

Chapter 9 ‘Emerging areas in geriatric health care practice’ covers determination of competence. The issue of ‘Is the patient agreeing to treatment?’ crops up again and again. I enjoyed reading Dr Licht- enberg’s conclusions.

The second part of the chapter covers the treatment of ‘pain and anxiety’ - another interesting section which constantly refers to relevant research undertaken by other professionals.

The references are listed at the back of the book by chapter, which is a good idea, rather than putting them a t the end of each chapter. Generally, this is a book that provides an extensive review of up- to-date research material. I would recommend this book to physio- therapists in mental health who are working mainly with elderly patients.

Christine Marsh MCSP

I If you have come across a new book which might help other readers, and it has not been reviewed in Physio- therapy, please let us know.

Physiotherapy, August 1998, vol84, no 8