Physiotherapy 94 (2008) 174–178

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easuring Health: A Guide to Rating Scalesnd Questionnaires, 3rd ed.. McDowell, 2006, 768 pages, £43.00, ISBN 0-9-516567-5

This book is a reference text that providesn-depth reviews of over 100 important health

easurements. The previous editions have estab-ished this book as the prime reference source onhe subject. Of most interest to readers will behe tables, which include outcome measures inull, or sufficient details to help a reader deter-ine whether a measure is likely to be suitable

or their needs. This solves the problem of noteing able to view a measure before obtainingt. The author has also appraised and discussedhe evidence for each measure, and provides annsightful commentary.

This book seeks to guide the reader in choos-ng between rival methods, and provides the infor-

ation needed to administer each instrument andnterpret the results obtained. It tries to do thisy providing ‘accurate and reasonably detailednformation’ on a selection of the more com-

only used instruments.The book also provides a technical and his-

orical introduction to the field of health mea-urement, and discusses future directions in theeld. It is intended for a broad audience, including

hose who are unfamiliar with the methodologicalasis of health measurement.

It is principally aimed at ‘researchers under-aking clinical trials, social surveys and healthurveys’. It could be used for graduate-levelourses in epidemiological methods, healthdministration, psychometrics, and healthcarelanning and evaluation. I would add physiother-py to this list, but be warned the book deals withome issues that may be new to some physiother-pists and it does require serious concentration toollow.

This is a well-written book. The best sec-ions are Chapter 2, on the theoretical foundationsf health measurement, and Chapter 11, repre-enting the conclusions and recommendations.nyone planning, or involved in, the develop-ent of an outcome measure should consider this

dvice.This third edition updates the information

n each of the measures reviewed previously;

t includes additional measures in each of thehapters and adds a chapter on anxiety mea-urement. Other chapters include disability, psy-hological wellbeing, depression, mental status,ocial health, pain, and quality of life.

031-9406/$ – see front matter © 2006 Chartered Soci

Book reviews

This excellent reference book represents goodvalue for money for libraries and departments.The fast evolving nature of the specialty maymean that those interested in specific measureswill need to conduct their own searches to ensurethat they are up to date.

Ralph HammondE-mail address: hammondr@csp.org.uk

doi: 10.1016/j.physio.2006.09.001

Measurement Theory and Practice in Kinesi-ologyTerry M. Wood, Weimo Zhu, Human Kinetics,2006, 440 pages, £47.00, ISBN 0-7360-4503-1

The principal aim of the book is to be a con-temporary reference on measurement issues forresearchers and practitioners in physical activity.Overall the editors have fulfilled their objectiveof examining measurement topics from the tra-ditional measurement perspective and the morecontemporary mathematical model approach.The text is small and only infrequently broken bytables and, what appear to be complicated, equa-tions. Although the authors assume the reader hasan understanding of basic statistical terminology,the book is well written and certainly easier toread and more comprehensible than one mightthink from first impressions.

Although different authors, of whom onlytwo are based outside the USA, have written the16 chapters, the editors have ensured that eachchapter follows the same format and there is noobvious difference in presentation from chapterto chapter. Each chapter has headings, subhead-ings and a useful summary, all of which are listedin the contents section of the book for easy ref-erencing. A glossary of terms, references, furtherreading and an index (79 pages in total) are givenat the end of the book rather than at the end of eachchapter, whilst relevant web sites are given at theend of specific chapters. The tables and equationsare clearly captioned, though the equations willprobably be used mainly by those looking for aspecific example.

The book is divided into four sections. Mea-

surement Basics and Current Issues in Mea-surement will provide a useful reference sourcefor physiotherapists. The third section, AdvancedStatistical Techniques, probably has limited rel-evance to most physiotherapists, whilst Mea-

ety of Physiotherapy. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rig

surement in Practice probably has the most sig-nificance to those physiotherapists involved inresearch and/or in assessing information fromresearch studies—if allied health professionalsare to make evidence-based decisions, they muststay current with the medical literature becausetradition is no longer an accepted justifica-tion for test selection and treatment practices(p. 298).

This is not necessarily a book to read fromcover to cover. However, certain chapters may beof interest to sections of the physiotherapy world.Chapter 11 discusses analysing very small datasets, which frequently occur in under-graduateand some post-graduate work, emphasising thatoptions to enhance the statistical power areindeed available. Chapter 13 could benefit thoseconcerned with physical activity, exercise pre-scription studies and research. Chapter 14 dis-cusses how to measure illness and physical activ-ity and may be relevant to those physiother-apists interested in public health/health of thenation issues. Chapter 15 refers to sports medicineissues and provides information to help alliedhealth professionals interpret and evaluate evi-dence regarding the efficacy or effectiveness ofdiagnostic tests. Occupational health physiother-apists, particularly if they are involved in researchand/or setting practical assessments, might findChapter 16 on pre-employment physical testingvaluable.

Overall, this book may be useful to haveas a reference source in libraries catering forpost-graduate students, particularly those with aresearch methods module, or to those physiother-apists involved in research.

Lynn BoothE-mail address: physiolynn@aol.com

doi: 10.1016/j.physio.2006.10.007

Chronic Pain ManagementCarol Banks, Karen MacKrodt, Whurr PublishersLtd., 2005, 280 pages, £19.99, ISBN 1-86156-4538

The editors have complied contributions from

authors from different disciplines, emphasisingthe multidisciplinary approach recommended inpain management. This has resulted in a some-what disjointed effect—a series of separate chap-ters not quite making a cohesive whole. In chapter

hts reserved.