Bobath Neurodevelopmental Techniques

(1) Background: Muscle tension around the head and neck influences orofacial functions. The data exist concerning head posture during increased salivation; however, little is known about muscle tightness during this process. This study aims to investigate whether or not any muscles are related to problems with eating, such as drooling in individuals with cerebral palsy; (2) Methods: Nineteen patients between the ages of 1 and 14 were examined prior to the physiotherapy intervention. This intervention lasted three months and consisted of: relaxing muscles via the strain-counterstrain technique, functional exercises based on the NeuroDevelopmental Treatment-Bobath method, and functional exercises for eating; (3) Results: the tone of rectus capitis posterior minor muscle on the left side ( p = 0...

Background and Objectives: The Bobath approach, also known as neurodevelopmental treatment (NDT), is a widely used concept in the rehabilitation of stroke patients with hemiparesis in many countries. This technique is being used since years all over the world; however, strong evidence of its usefulness is still not present. This review is aimed to find out its effectiveness based on the randomized controlled trials in the rehabilitation of stroke patients with motor disability and to compare it with other therapeutic techniques...

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: The upper extremity motor deficit is one of the functional challenges in post stroke patients. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the meaningful task-specific training (MTST) on the upper extremity motor recovery during the subacute phase after a stroke. METHOD: This was a randomized, controlled, double-blinded trial in the neurology department of a university hospital and occupational therapy unit of a rehabilitation institute...

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of tetanic faradic stimulation in an antagonist muscle (tibialis anterior) on agonist muscles (gastro-soleus). In addition, to show the effects of maintaining agonist muscle strength on antagonist spastic muscle group to improve gait parameters in children with spastic hemiplegia. METHODS: We carried out the study at Pamukkale University, School of Physical Therapy, Denizli, Turkey between June 2001 and December 2002. We included 16 ambulant cerebral palsied children with a mean of age 6...

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The ability to walk is impaired in more than 80% of poststroke patients. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the task-oriented circuit class training (TOCCT) with motor imagery (MI) on the gait during the subacute phase after a stroke. METHOD: This was a randomized, controlled, assessor-blinded trial in a neurology department of a university hospital. A convenience sample of 30 people, 4 to 12 weeks (mean, 6...

A 4-year longitudinal intervention was conducted with 10 young severely dysarthric children with cerebral palsy. Two procedures were implemented, each one for a period of 2 years. The first procedure centred on training the oral praxies, whereas the second one favoured a more functional approach based on voice and prosody training as well as parents' and school teachers' involvement. Bobath neurodevelopmental treatment was given throughout the 4-year period. Results clearly favour the second type of procedure which in interaction with Bobath's technique proved able to bring the children from unintelligible to an acceptable level of functional speech...

OBJECTIVES: Although the neurodevelopmental technique (Bobath) is the most widely used approach in the gait rehabilitation of hemiparetic subjects in Europe, there is little neurophysiological evidence for its presumed effects on gait symmetry and facilitation of paretic muscles during the therapeutic intervention. The study, therefore, investigated the immediate effects of gait entrainment by a physical therapist on the gait of hemiparetic subjects. METHODS: Cycle parameters, gait symmetry, hip joint movement and the electromyographic activity of several lower limb muscles were assessed in 22 patients during a classic intervention by five Bobath therapists and while walking with and without a cane...

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the foundations of prevalent physical therapy technique based on the current research on motor control. The conceptual framework of the neurodevelopmental theory, as described in the writings of the Bobaths, is presented. Their explanations of central nervous system disorders and recommendations for intervention are based upon a unidirectional model of the nervous system in which postural and voluntary motion become two separate and distinct entities. Systems theory is an alternative model of nervous system structure...

It is difficult to assess objectively the effectiveness of treating children with cerebral palsy during the first year of life. 50 pupils with cerebral palsy were selected for handicap and intelligence and carefully examined. All children were treated with the neurodevelopmental technique of BOBATH, 22 of them within the first year of life, 28 thereafter. The examination in school age showed differences between the two groups. When treatment is commenced before nine months of age, children with spastic diplegia resulting from premature birth are unlikely to require special schooling for reasons of their physical handicap...