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V. Sparkes et al. / Physiotherapy 90 (2004) 167–171 169
Pelvic Floor Exercises for Erectile DysfunctionGrace Dorey, Whurr Publishers, £19.99 (Paperback), ISBN1-86156-365-5
The focus of this book is the use of pelvic floor exercisesin the treatment of male erectile dysfunction. The book is apublication of the authors Ph.D. thesis, and is an effectivemethod of disseminating of her work to as wide an audi-ence as possible. The book complements a previous publica-tion “Conservative Treatment of Male Urinary Incontinenceand Erectile Dysfunction”, Grace Dorey, Whurr Publishers,2001, ISBN: 1-86156-3027.
The first two chapters contain the background informa-tion to the research study. Chapter 1 is an overview of pelvicanatomy and the physiology of erection, possible causesof erectile dysfunction and different treatment regimes.Chapter 2 is a review of pelvic floor exercise literature andthe use of pelvic floor exercises in erectile dysfunction. Theauthor concludes that although many of the trials lacked ro-bust research methology, there was substantial evidence tosupport the use of pelvic floor exercises to improve penilerigidity in some patients.
The next two chapters explain the methodology of thestudy, the purpose of which was to determine whether pelvicfloor exercises combined with manometric biofeedbackcould improve erectile dysfunction. The process of settingup the research from start to finish is contained in thesechapters, including ethical considerations, validation ofequipment, outcome measures and discussion of any pitfalls.
The next chapters present the results of the study.Tables, graphs and raw data are presented in their entirety.The graphs are clear and well labelled, and enhance the text.
The discussion section supports the use of pelvic floorexercises as a first line treatment for certain types of maleerectile dysfunction. It is apparent that not all patients willbenefit from physiotherapy, and further research is necessaryto allow for a more careful selection process.
The appendices include all the assessment proformas andoutcome measures (validated and non-validated) used in thisstudy.
This book will have a limited audience due to its spe-cialised subject matter. It is essential reading for physiother-apists specialising in male pelvic floor disorders, especiallythose interested in research. It would be a useful additionto the shelves of medical libraries, as a valuable referencesource for urology nurse specialists, urologists, and any otherdisciplines treating this group of patients.
The price reflects the enormous amount of informationcontained in the book. The author has produced high qualityevidence, which could significantly influence physiotherapypractice, and is to be congratulated for making her researchfindings accessible to clinicians.
Stephanie Knight, Mphil, Grad Dip Phys, MCSPBradford Royal Infirmary, Physiotherapy Department
Duckworth Lane, Bradford, West Yorkshire BD9 6RJ, UK
Tel.: +44-1274-5422-00E-mail address:
29 January 2004
doi: 10.1016/j.physio.2004.02.007
Rehabilitation of Sports Injuries: Scientific BasisWalter R Frontera, Blackwell Publishing, 2003, 326 PagesIllus., Price £65, ISBN 0-632-05813-7
This book is the tenth in the series entitledEncyclope-dia of Sports Medicine, commissioned by the InternationalOlympic Committee, with contributions from internationalauthors. The first book in the seriesOlympic Book of SportsMedicinewas published in 1988 with some of the earliervolumes,Endurance in Sportand Strength and Power inSport now reaching their second edition. The content ofRehabilitation of Sports Injuriesclearly reflects this impres-sive pedigree. The contents are divided into four parts over326 pages: Epidemiology and Pathology; Basic Science ofTissue Repair and Healing; Practical Issues; and ClinicalRehabilitation Interventions.
Parts one and two include chapters on the pathophys-iology of injury and skeletal muscle regeneration. Theseare very detailed, with appropriate tables, diagrams andgraphs and are written in a clear style which is easy toread. The chapter by Barry Oakes on the repair of ten-dons and ligaments deserves special mention for its clarityof style, depth and breadth of coverage and for excellentdiagrams (ligament repair, p66 and p67). This is comple-mented by the following chapters on bone and cartilagehealing.
Parts three and four consider clinical issues and describethe consequences of detraining, and the functional andpsychological consequences of injury. These chapters are,on the whole, well written and clearly presented. Part fourentitled Clinical Rehabilitation Interventionscovers painmanagement, flexibility and strength training, propriocep-tion, orthoses and functional rehabilitation with an excellentchapter by W. Ben Kibler and T. Jeff Chandler. All the chap-ters are thorough, detailed and the references are compre-hensive.
One minor criticism of this text is that it is essentiallya book of two halves with little attempt to integrate theearly basic science sections with the later clinical sections.A greater synthesis of the subject matter, as suggested by thetitle, amalgamating material from laboratory studies, clinicalobservation and clinical trials would have been valuable.Viewed in this light, the text occasionally reads more likea handbook than an examination of the scientific basis ofpractice.
However, this text is great value for money, well written,clearly organised and I would thoroughly recommend it.
170 V. Sparkes et al. / Physiotherapy 90 (2004) 167–171
Those professionals involved in the rehabilitation of all typesof injury will find something of value in this book.
Chris WorsfoldThe Tonbridge Clinic, 339 Shipbourne Road
Tonbridge, Kent TN10 3EU, UKTel.: +44-1732-350255fax: +44-1732-362343
E-mail address:[email protected]
doi: 10.1016/j.physio.2004.04.002
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Genes and Infection:The early T-cell Activation-1/Osteopontin (Eta-1/Op)ParadigmRoberto Patarca-Montero, The Haworth Press Inc, Pub-lished 2003, 254 pages, $39.95 soft back, $69.95 hard back,ISBN: 0-7890-1794-6
Many debilitating chronic illnesses are characterised bythe presence of fatigue. This book deals in depth withgenes and infections that may account for the developmentof chronic diseases such as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.The Early T-cell activation-1/Osteopontin (Eta-1/Op) genewhich encodes a cytokine is the focus of this book. Thecommon function of the Eta-1/Op, mapped to humanchromosome 4, includes cell to cell communication, cel-lular motility and regulation of phosphate and calciummetabolism. The expression of Eta-1/Op is part of the ge-netic program of cellular immunity, a component of the im-mune system whose function is deficient in many ChronicFatigue Syndrome patients. Therapies targeted at restoringa healthy cellular immunity may help in the treatment ofChronic Fatigue Syndrome. In this context Patarca-Monterosuggests that Eta-1/Op could be used as a therapeuticagent.
The first chapter deals with microbial infections, chronicfatigue syndrome and microbial infection-resistant hostgenes. The author suggests that individuals, who are in-fected with particular microbial agents, carry gene variantsof resistance genes which makes them susceptible to chronicinfection and its untoward effects. Chapter 2 explores thepotential role of the Eta-1/Op gene.
In the third chapter, three interventions are discussed, twowhich are bacteria-based and the third, direct administra-tion of Eta-1/Op protein as a potential therapy for ChronicFatigue Syndrome patients. This is followed by a chapterdetailing the structure and regulation of the Eta-1/Op geneand protein.
The fifth chapter discusses current understanding of thebiological activities of Eta-1/Op protein in bodily organsystems such as the osseous system, joints and tendons,skin, and the renal, cardiovascular, gastro-intestinal, ner-vous, reproductive, and auditory systems, and pathologiessuch as neoplasia.
Patarca-Montero concludes that the aetiology of ChronicFatigue Syndrome remains unclear. He proposes that insome cases, in particular those with evidence of immuno-logical activation and an acute onset, an infectious com-ponent may exist. Whether Chronic Fatigue Syndromepatients suffer Eta-1/Op deficiency, remains to be deter-mined, as does the role of this potential deficiency insymptomatology.
This very well researched and written book covers exten-sive research on human and animal models. It is intendedfor researchers in general and immunologists in partic-ular, with little relevance to the clinical physiotherapist.It contains 121 pages of very useful up-to-date refer-ences for researchers and is suitable for hospital/universitylibraries.
Hannan Mohammad AliDepartment of PhysiotherapyGartnavel General Hospital
1053 Great Western RoadGlasgow G12 0YN, UK
E-mail address:[email protected]
doi: 10.1016/j.physio.2004.05.004
Physical Therapy Professional Foundations: Keys toSuccess in School and CareerKathleen Curtis (Ed.) Slack Incorporated, 2001, 288 pp.,not illus, £29.50, ISBN 1-55642-411-6
The theme of the book is physical therapy and relatedtopics aimed at helping those entering into physical therapyeducation within the USA. The book does what it sets out todo; however, apart from being informative regarding differ-ences in the systems the book was not designed specificallyto help UK students.
The generic topic areas on study skills, presentation ofmaterials, and managing the learning process would be use-ful to undergraduate students in the UK, as would the chap-ter giving advice to students for whom English is not theirfirst language. The latter section contains basic informationoften ignored by those with English as a first language. Thechapter on re-entry and second career students contains goodadvice but is hampered as far as the UK reader is concernedby terminology differences.
On the whole the book is well structured, designed ap-parently as an entry-level text never exploring any topic indetail. Here lies a bit of a puzzle, from the point of view ofthe type and level of general advice given, the book appearsto be aimed at new undergraduates. However, new entrantsto the profession in the USA are on either, masters or doc-toral accredited programs, and consequently should have al-ready mastered much of the general study skills and relatedadvice given.
