Doody's Review Service

Reviewer:	Erin Peterson, DHSc, OTR, CHT (University of Indianapolis)

Description
This book is an essential resource for occupational therapy students, educators, and clinicians as it serves as not only a comprehensive guide to range of motion (ROM) and manual muscle testing (MMT) for the entire body, but it also features clinical case scenarios and anatomy review activities at the end of each chapter to help readers apply key concepts to practice. First published in 2018, the book provides a thorough anatomical overview of each body segment before offering detailed instructions and photographs illustrating each goniometric and muscle testing skill.

Purpose
The book has several purposes; the first is to serve as a guide for students when learning ROM and MMT procedures. With inclusion of clear instructions, pictures, and multiple learning activities, students can engage with the material in a variety of ways. Secondly, this book helps students transition from the classroom to the clinic. The Clinical Pathways of Assessment Model included in the first chapter streamlines biomechanical and rehabilitative assessments and interventions, allowing students an early understanding of how ROM and MMT skills fit into the overall occupational therapy process. Lastly, the book tries to ensure students use their knowledge of ROM and MMT to help view clients holistically and remain occupation centered. The case scenarios and occupational performance questions at the end of each chapter aid in doing this, but as the book states, it should be part of a larger curriculum to address the complexity and diversity of the profession.

Audience
This book is a vital resource for entry-level occupational therapy students learning foundational biomechanical and rehabilitative assessment techniques. New practitioners, as well as experienced ones transitioning to a different practice area, will also benefit from its design to refresh their knowledge of ROM and MMT procedures. Drawing from their expertise as occupational therapy practitioners, entry-level faculty members, fieldwork educators, and certified hand therapists, the authors have created a comprehensive and useful text to serve as both a learning tool and a quick reference guide to students during fieldwork or in their first job.

Features
In the first chapter the book includes foundational concepts of assessment, highlighting key aspects of biomechanics and kinesiology. Each subsequent chapter focuses on a body part from the head and neck to the ankle and foot. Of high importance are separate chapters for the wrist and the hand, which many ROM and MMT books combine to their detriment, as they often skip over small details in the upper extremity that are important for clinical practice. Colored tabs on the page edges separate the chapters to easily locate specific body segments. Additionally, an extended back cover functions like a bookmark to allow readers to save their page without compromising the integrity of the book. Following Chapter One's outline of foundational concepts, each chapter begins with an overview of the body segment focusing on key anatomical structures of the joints, unique anatomy or influence on function, neural pathways, arthrokinematics, osteokinematics, and surface anatomy palpation. Next, the book clearly outlines goniometry procedures for each joint and direction stating client position, specific goniometer placement, and sample client instruction. It also includes tables showing normal and functional ranges of motion along with photographs of goniometer placement at the start and end position. Gross and isolated muscle testing procedures are next with clear parameters for each muscle grade (0-5) regarding client and practitioner position and instruction to the client. Photographs also accompany each muscle testing skill depicting palpation and resistance. Each chapter includes multiple inset boxes that highlight key tips and important considerations during testing procedures. Learning objectives at the beginning of each chapter help students focus their attention on essential concepts. Chapters conclude with a variety of review activities including multiple-choice questions, anatomy labeling, and matching, providing students with several ways to engage with content. One of the book's best features is the clinical case scenarios presented at the end of each chapter, followed by multiple-choice questions that challenge students to apply their knowledge about specific ROM and MMT skills for that case study client. This allows students to see the connection between isolated skill practice and comprehensive client care. The book concludes with several appendices to serve as quick-reference guides for documentation examples, ROM norms, primary muscle functions, and answer keys to the chapter review questions. Lastly, the front cover provides instructions for accessing digital resources, including skill demonstration videos, self-assessment quizzes, and case studies.

Assessment
This book is an essential resource for any occupational therapy student learning ROM and MMT procedures as the authors kept the student in mind, incorporating review questions and clinical scenarios to promote deeper engagement with the material. The updated edition adds valuable depth, with richer discussions of functional anatomy and stronger connections to clinical practice. I highly recommend that faculty adopt this book for their entry-level occupational therapy programs. For students not required to purchase it, the book still serves as an excellent supplemental resource and study tool. Additionally, new practitioners, or experienced therapists transitioning into biomechanical or rehabilitative practice, will find this book a helpful refresher for essential assessment procedures.