The Control of Locomotion

Does physiotherapy based on the Bobath concept, in conjunction with a task practice, achieve greater improvement in walking ability in people with stroke compared to physiotherapy focused on structured task practice alone? A pilot randomized controlled trial

“…Two detailed examples of interventions based on the Bobath concept for patients post-stroke who are able to walk independently but are limited in their ability to walk are described in Raine et al 11,14 These examples show assessment, clinical reasoning and intervention processes related to assessment findings. Interventions described include:…”

“…Two detailed examples of interventions based on the Bobath concept for patients post-stroke who are able to walk independently but are limited in their ability to walk are described in Raine et al . 11,14 These examples show assessment, clinical reasoning and intervention processes related to assessment findings. Interventions described include: facilitated activation of postural activity and selective movement in the affected hip and knee in various postures including supine, standing and single leg stance; enhancing foot contact and balance through improving alignment of the talocrural joint, activation of musculature of the foot and shank, and facilitation of ankle strategy; facilitation of core stability during tasks of lying to sitting, and in standing; facilitation through a wide variety of postures requiring complex rotation movements to improve midline orientation. …”

Balance and Gait in People with Multiple Sclerosis: A Comparison with Healthy Controls and the Immediate Change after an Intervention based on the Bobath Concept

“…The improvement in stability in SLS in subjects with MS observed in this study resulted from interventions aimed at improving compliance of muscles and joints, normalizing areas of increased or decreased muscle tone and facilitating improved motor activity to support a change in postural alignment (Keating, , Holland and Lynch‐Ellerington, ). Provision of specific sensory stimulation is an important component of the intervention.…”

“…Subjects in the MS group received an intervention based on the Bobath concept that was tailored to address the individual impairments of the foot and ankle identified in each subject. Specific therapeutic strategies in the Bobath concept have been described by Holland and Lynch‐Ellerington ()) as ‘(i) provision of sensory information to the foot; (ii) stretch to the intrinsic muscles of the foot in order to selectively activate the foot; (iii) improving alignment of the talo‐crural joint; (iv) activation of gastrocnemius facilitates eccentric control of soleus; and (v) facilitation of ankle strategy’ (p124) (Holland and Lynch‐Ellerington, ). To tailor the intervention, the therapist conducted a detailed assessment including observation of the alignment of the foot and ankle in standing and sitting.…”

The Bobath Concept in Walking Activity in Chronic Stroke Measured Through the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health

“…There are no structured protocols of treatment within the Bobath concept (Graham et al ., ), and the intervention process is individualized to the patient's bio‐psycho‐social needs (Raine, ): Treatment is tailored to the client's individual needs (Raine, ). Attending to these principles, in previous literature, Holland and Lynch‐Ellerington () and Brock et al . () described the use of the Bobath concept for walking treatment in stroke patients in detail.…”