Patricia M. Davies has drawn, in writing this book, on her long years of experience and unique opportunities for exchanging knowledge with international experts in the field. The book is essentially a practical guide. The author refrains from discussing at length the different hypotheses related to prognosis and recovery of function. Instead, she concentrates on what can actually be DONE to help the patient during routine nursing procedures as well as in special therapy sessions.

1 Getting in Touch Again.- Disturbances of Tactile Input.- Problems Related to Disturbed Tactile/Kinaesthetic Input.- Enhancing Learning in the Treatment Programme.- Choice of Therapeutic Intervention.- Therapeutic Guiding.- Important Considerations for Guiding.- Choosing a Suitable Task.- Ways in Which Guiding Can Be Implemented.- Guiding Tasks in Different Clinical Situations.- The Problem of Incontinence.- Avoiding the Negatives Associated with Post-traumatic Epilepsy.- Conclusion.- 2 Early Positioning in Bed and in the Wheelchair.- Turning and Positioning in Bed.- Sitting Out of Bed.- Transferring the Patient from Bed to Wheelchair.- Position in the Wheelchair.- Propelling the Wheelchair Independently.- The Importance of Turning and Positioning the Patient.- A Case in Point.- 3 Moving and Being Moved in Lying and Sitting.- Requirements for Efficient Muscle Action.- Possible Lengthening Mechanisms.- The Importance of Mobilizing the Nervous System.- Important Movement Sequences.- Maintaining Full, Painfree Range of Motion in the Upper Limbs.- Regaining Active Control of the Arm.- Mobilizing the Trunk and Lower Limbs.- Conclusion.- A Case in Point.- 4 Early Standing.- The Importance of Standing the Patient.- Considerations Before Standing the Patient.- Standing the Patient Upright.- Moving While Standing.- Conclusion.- A Case In Point.- 5 Reanimating the Face and Mouth.- Common Problems and Their Treatment.- Therapeutic Procedures.- Oral Hygiene.- Starting to Eat and Drink Again.- Facilitating Eating.- Drinking.- Prolonged Postacute Tube Feeding.- Learning to Speak Again.- Providing an Alternative Means of Communicating.- Conclusion.- 6 Overcoming Limitation of Movement, Contracture and Deformity.- Reasons for the Development of Contractures.- Overcoming Contractures and Restoring Functional Movement.- Serial Casting.- Surgical Intervention.- Antispastic Drugs and Nerve Blocks.- Management of Fractures and Soft Tissue Injuries.- Heterotopic Ossification.- Considerations for the Prevention of HO.- Overcoming the Problems of Existing HO.- Conclusion.- 7 Towards Attaining Independent Walking: Preparation and Facilitation.- Considerations for Treatment.- When to Start Walking.- A Case in Point.- Preparatory Activities.- The Facilitation of Walking.- Facilitating Standing Up and Sitting Down.- Dealing with Additional Problems Which Prevent Walking.- A Case in Point.- Learning to Go Up and Down Stairs.- Recreational Activities Which Encourage Active Movement.- Conclusion.- References.