Cognitive Rehabilitation: A Clinical Neuropsychological Approach.
W. Brouwer, E. van Zomeren, I. Berg, A. Bouma, and E. de Haan (Eds.). 2002.
Amsterdam: Boom Publishers. 296 pp.
Neuropsychological Interventions: Clinical Research and Practice.
P.J. Eslinger (Ed.). 2002. New York: The Guilford Press. 360 pp., $50.00.
Cognitive dysfunction is the sine qua non of brain injury.
Rehabilitation of cognitive deficits is therefore central to the
treatment of persons with brain injury. Nevertheless, advances in the
treatment of various cognitive functions have been slow to occur. In
all likelihood this slow pace reflects the complex nature of brain
function and brain injury as well as the challenges that researchers
encounter when they conduct research with real world populations whose
condition may be evolving. Yet, brain injury treatment shows promise.
After reading both of these books, the reader will have the sense that
our approaches are becoming more scientific, that there are large gaps
in our knowledge, with variability in knowledge across cognitive
domains, and that there is still much art in the treatment of cognitive
deficits. These two books provide valuable information of a
complementary nature on the status of brain injury care.