The DOI matches its Crossref record; 19 of the 19 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.
The Bobath concept in stroke rehabilitation: a focus group study of the experienced physiotherapists' perspective
Abstract
PURPOSE: The Bobath concept, usually known as neuro-developmental treatment (NDT) in America, is one of the major approaches used to rehabilitate patients following stroke; however since the last publication of Bobath (1990), the concept has been taught via an oral tradition on postgraduate courses. This study therefore aimed to explore with experienced therapists firstly how the Bobath concept had changed since 1990, and secondly what they considered its main theoretical assumptions to be using a focus group research design. METHOD: Eight peer-nominated expert physiotherapists agreed to participate in two focus groups organized according to specialist interest in either neurology (group A) or elderly care (group B). Therapists were asked to discuss six topics based on a review of published literature. Data analysis involved several readings of verbatim transcriptions, from which key themes and concepts were developed. RESULTS: All therapists agreed on the following core themes defining Bobath: analysis of normal movement, control of tone and facilitation of movement. Neuroplasticity was described as the primary rationale for treatment with therapists using afferent information to target the damaged central nervous system. In addition group A discussed motor learning, whereas group B discussed patient focused goals and relating treatment to function. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlighted changes in theory, terminology, and techniques. Tone remained a major problem in the rehabilitation management of the hemiplegic patient; however much attention was also directed towards the musculoskeletal system. Both facilitation of normal movement components and task specific practice using specific manual guidance were considered critical elements of the Bobath concept. For Bobath therapists, physiotherapy has an important impact on both the performance components of movement and functional outcomes. In view of the small numbers involved in this preliminary study, further studies are now needed to determine if these themes and concepts are congruent with the majority of physiotherapists' interpretation of the Bobath concept in stroke rehabilitation.
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“Facilitation of normal movement components (which includes strategies to maintain muscle and joint alignment) and task-specific practice using specific manual guidance have been identified as critical elements of the Bobath Concept.1,4,60”
From The Effectiveness of the Bobath Concept in Stroke Rehabilitation: What is the Evidence? (2009) · cites this paper as [60]
Citations
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Haddad, V. (2015) · CommonKnowledge Research Repository (Pacific University Oregon)
A classificação internacional de funcionalidade, incapacidade e saúde (CIF) e o conceito Bobath
Ferreira, L. T. D. (2012) · Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations (Universidade de São Paulo) · doi:10.11606/d.6.2012.tde-10092012-105933
Cardoso, M. (2013) · Portuguese National Funding Agency for Science, Research and Technology (RCAAP Project by FCT)
18 Evidence-based fysiotherapie bij patiënten met een CVA
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Konsensusempfehlungen zur F.O.T.T.
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Exploring Physiotherapists' Understanding of the Bobath Concept in Education and Clinical Practice
Dyks, T. (2011) · uO Research (University of Ottawa) · doi:10.20381/ruor-4529
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Clinical Reasoning by Expert Bobath Instructors
Vaughan‐Graham, J. (2016) · TSpace (University of Toronto)
The Efficacy of a Forearm Rotation Orthosis for Persons with a Hemiparetic Arm
Yu, C. (2018) · University of Minnesota Digital Conservancy (University of Minnesota)
Effectiveness of Early-stage Neurodevelopmental Treatment Following Brain Tumor Surgery
Türkmen, C., Bilgin, S., Keser, İ., Ertürk, B., Köse, N., & Öğe, K. (2022) · Hacettepe Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Fakültesi Dergisi · doi:10.21020/husbfd.1005718
Virtual Reality Training Improves Upper Limb Functions in Stroke Survivors
Shahzadi, N., Rafi, M. A., Ishtiaq, K., Ahmad, N., & Malik, A. N. (2023) · THE THERAPIST (Journal of Therapies & Rehabilitation Sciences) · doi:10.54393/tt.v4i1.101
Development of Robotic System for Stroke Rehabilitation Settings
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Lee, J.-E. (2025) · Experimental Gerontology · doi:10.1016/j.exger.2025.112937
Wu, Z., Chen, G., Hu, X., & He, J. I. (2026) · Acupuncture in Medicine · doi:10.1177/09645284261433566
Metadata
- Authors
- Lennon, S., & Ashburn, A.
- Affiliations
- University of Ulster (GB)
- University of Southampton (GB)
- Venue
- Disability and Rehabilitation
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2000-01
- Volume
- 22
- Issue
- 15
- Pages
- 665-674
- ISSN
- 0963-8288 (ISSN-L)
- 1464-5165
- OpenAlex
- W2103081978
- Cited by
- 119
- References
- 19
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 3 · 2020: 4 · 2019: 5 · 2018: 6 · 2017: 5 · 2016: 6 · 2015: 4 · 2014: 10 · 2013: 4 · 2012: 8
- FWCI
- 4.82
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Disability and Rehabilitation (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Rehabilitation › Stroke Rehabilitation and Recovery
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Rehabilitation › Cerebral Palsy and Movement Disorders
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation › Medical Practices and Rehabilitation
- Keywords
- Bobath concept, stroke rehabilitation, physiotherapists' perceptions, neuroplasticity, motor learning, task-specific practice, manual guidance, hemiplegia, afferent information, functional outcome
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Hemiplegia, Humans, Focus Groups, Physical Therapy Modalities
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