Physiotherapy, based on the Bobath concept, may influence the gait pattern in persons with limb‐girdle muscle dystrophy: a multiple case series study

Abstract

The results indicate that physiotherapy treatment based on the Bobath concept may influence the gait pattern in patients with LGMD. However, in order to evaluate the effectiveness of physiotherapy to patients with muscular dystrophies, we call for larger studies and controlled trials.

The Bobath (NDT) concept in adult neurological rehabilitation: what is the state of the knowledge? A scoping review. Part II: intervention studies perspectives

“…Twelve of these studies were experimental designs (RCTs/one prospective parallel group design) [10,[26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36], while five studies used an N-of-1/case report design to describe clinical practice with respect to a specific client/clients, with study design varying from a case report [37,38], to a case series, to a more sophisticated single subject research design (SSRDs) [40,41]. One other paper was a systematic review [11].…”

“…The two SSRD's [40,41] and one of the case reports [37] referenced an up-to-date Bobath theoretical framework. The remaining two studies [38], referenced a wide range of theoretical frameworks from Bobath [42] to Gjelsvik [44].…”

“…Only four studies noted a specific time range for inclusion: two addressed the post-acute phase of rehabilitation 4-24 weeks [26] and 4-20 weeks [28]; and, the other two addressed the chronic phase of rehabilitation 3-15 months [33] and 3-24 months [27]. The two SSRDs [40,41] investigated clients with other neurological diagnoses (multiple sclerosis and muscular dystrophy, respectively), with a specific description of each subject's clinical presentation. The case reports [37,38] and case series, evaluated subjects with stroke, but provided limited information with respect to clinical presentation.…”

“…Of the 12 experimental designs only two identified that the interventions were individualized [27,28]. The two SSRD's [40,41] identified client-centered goals, problems and interventions that were referenced to recent Bobath texts [44,45]. The two case reports [37,38] and the case series, did not provide a description of the interventions.…”

“…One study defined the therapist demographics by Bobath basic course training and the use of a case vignette [36], and two studies identified IBITA basic Bobath course post-graduate education as an indicator of therapist ''Bobath'' competence [27,28]. Of the studies investigating the clinical application of the Bobath concept, Øygard et al [41] reported the demographics of the treating therapist as a clinical specialist and an IBITA certified Bobath Basic Course Instructor. Mikołajewska [39] reported the therapists were IBITA Basic or Advanced level.…”