Neurologic Rehabilitation Without Neuropsychology?

Abstract

The editors of this book present rehabilitation after brain injury in the context of a model labeled the “neurologic rehabilitation model”. The model is based on a careful functional diagnosis in the context of neurological syndromes, on prognosis, and on treatment planning. The importance of functional diagnosis cannot be emphasized enough. It constitutes a base of treatment planning and prognosis and I was very happy to read a textbook using functional diagnosis. Unfortunately, I got somewhat confused. From my point of view as a neuropsychologist, functional descriptions are mixed with terms of localizing value. The authors have chosen an uncommon way to present focal cognitive, emotional, or executive disturbances within the context of different etiologies, e.g., Wernicke's aphasia and neglect are presented as specific stroke syndromes. They very often are, but certainly not always. Specific neurological deficits are presented with regard to prognosis and likelihood for impairment. Treatment studies are reviewed. The neurologic rehabilitation model treats deficits in an “egalitarian way,” mixing sensory, motor, and cognitive problems.