Bobath Concept: Treatment, Effect & Risks

The Bobath Concept is particularly suitable for people who have motor disorders due to neurological diseases. Thus, it is a treatment option for alleviating existing complaints. It can be applied to infants, but is also used for children and adults.

What is the Bobath concept?

The Bobath concept aims to alleviate neurological disorders or restore certain functions by establishing new connecting pathways. It is applied, for example, to cerebral movement disorders acquired in early childhood. The Bobath concept is supported by German health insurance companies and is thus also recognized. It is carried out according to the doctor’s instructions. This involves cooperation between different medical actors. These include physiotherapists and occupational therapists, speech therapists, physicians and nursing staff. It is used, for example, for cerebral movement disorders acquired in early childhood. Furthermore, it can help with developmental delay, sensorimotor limitations, and other neurological and neuromuscular disorders. The concept itself is based on the theory of the reorganization ability of the human brain. This attributes certain abilities to the brain. Healthy regions, for example, are supposed to be able to learn the functions and tasks of diseased areas and thus take them over. Traumatic brain damage often results in complaints of the connecting pathways, while the control centers themselves are not affected. Training should allow new pathways to emerge.

Function, effect and goals

The Bobath concept aims to alleviate neurological disorders or restore specific functions by creating new connecting pathways. To do this, specific regions of the brain are stimulated regularly and consistently. In this way, it is possible for the body to succeed in resuming functions that have been lost due to a stroke, for example. To do this, other areas of the brain must be networked and intensified. By constantly practicing movements, contacts between synapses can be recruited. In this way, functional associations are built up within the neurons, which make motor function possible. This makes the Bobath concept suitable for patients with motor movement disorders. The symptoms have either existed since birth or have been acquired in the course of life. While the concept used to be applied only to children, it was extended to adults in the 1960s. Today, the Bobath concept is considered the most successful treatment method for patients with movement disorders due to neurological diseases. While people with brain damage used to be regarded as nursing cases, rehabilitation cannot be ruled out in the meantime. The concept is most often used for patients with stroke who suffer from hemiplegia. The ultimate goal is to restore the patient’s independence and ability to act to the greatest extent possible. To achieve this, the patient’s skills and abilities play an important role. In addition to developmental neurology, knowledge of movement analysis, pedagogy and psychology also help. The individual environment of the patient is examined in detail and possibly adapted to his needs. In this way, the specific action and movement goals are to be realized. For this purpose, in addition to a detailed consultation, all aids such as crutches or wheelchairs are also considered. After a paralysis, the restrictions should not be compensated, but the movements should be regained. The active participation of the affected person is a prerequisite for the reconstruction of independence. The Bobath concept can possibly avoid a long-term need for care or a stay in a home. The Bobath concept is a 24-hour concept. The brain is constantly absorbing new information and learning. Accordingly, optimal learning opportunities are important. Thus, the concept is not limited to therapy sessions, but is applied throughout the patient’s daily life. The correct positioning of the patient favors an increase in muscle tone. At the same time, body awareness can be trained. All of the patient’s movements are performed according to a specific technique.This is used when independent movement is involved or when a caregiver moves the patient. Self-help training strengthens independence in everyday life.

Risks, side effects, and hazards

How successful the Bobath concept is depends on several factors. Thus, it cannot be guaranteed that the patient will regain independence through the various measures. The brain damage that led to the motor limitations in the first place cannot be treated by the concept. Depending on the size and extent of the damage, the patient’s ability to learn may be altered. The term learning capacity describes the ability to restructure the neurons of the human brain. Especially in the case of multiple oxygen deprivation, the learning ability can be strongly affected. Furthermore, neurological diseases often worsen the learning ability. For the Bobath concept to be successful, the patient must be motivated. However, the motivation is often determined by the disease, the processing of the complaints as well as the brain damage itself. Furthermore, the relatives play a role. They can often motivate the patient or inhibit his drive. Accordingly, it is important that the patient’s family is involved in the process at an early stage. The application of the concept involves the cooperation of various players. If the actions are not coordinated, a reduced success of the measures can also be observed. Thus, the Bobath concept depends on many factors that the patient himself can only influence to a limited extent. Furthermore, the measures are considered to be very expensive due to the time-intensive training of those involved. Some experts also criticize a lack of scientific knowledge and research. Nevertheless, under positive conditions, it is possible to improve the quality of life of the affected person. Some cases have proven that health can be restored through the Bobath concept.