Bobath concept

The Bobath Concept is an important approach to rehabilitation in the care of patients with injuries to the
brain. It strives to appropriately and adequately stress the central nervous and muscular systems such
that an individual creates, maintains, and reinforces the sensorimotor pathways to enable efficient motor
control in their desired environment.

It is named after its inventors: Berta Bobath, a physiotherapist, and her husband Karel, a
psychiatrist/neurophysiologist. In the United States, the Bobath Concept is usually referred to as 'neuro-
developmental treatment' (NDT). It is based on the brain's ability to reorganize and recover after
neurological insult (neuroplasticity). This approach to neurological rehabilitation is multidisciplinary,
primarily involving physiotherapists, but may also include occupational therapists and speech and
language therapists.

The Bobath concept was developed for the treatment of individuals with pathophysiology of the central
nervous system (CNS), primarily children with cerebral palsy (CP) and adults with cerebral vascular
accidents (CVA) with resulting hemiplegia. Individuals with CNS pathophysiology have dysfunction in
posture and movement and subsequent functional-activity limitations. The Bobaths developed the
NDT/Bobath approach to address these problems. The NDT/Bobath approach continues to be enriched
with the emergence of new theories, new models, and new information in the movement sciences. In
addition, as the characteristics of the population with CNS pathophysiology change, the approach
continues to evolve.

The Bobath Concept is summarized in Adult Hemiplegia: Evaluation and Treatment, by Berte and Karel
Bobath. The third edition was published in 1990.

"If they are to offer neurophysiologically sound approaches, clinicians must consider how the central
nervous system creates the commands that drive and guide the hand to reach into space and grasp an
object or the legs to take steps on flat or uneven ground." (Dobkin, 2000)

[edit] External links

* http://www.bobath-es.com (español)
* International Bobath Website
* Theory of Bobath (in German)
* Neuro-Developmental Treatment Association Website
* Official Bobath Foundation Website (in Spanish)
* Bobath Children's Therapy Centre Wales

Tilt head forward and let it hang, keeping the neck and shoulders relaxed. Slowly roll your head to one side, slowly
return head to front and and slowly roll to the other side. Do not overstretch. Do not roll the neck backward. Repeat
10 times.