Bobath Treatment Approach Overview

Bobath Treatment Approach

• The Bobath Treatment Approach was developed by Dr. Berta and Dr. Karel Bobath.

Primary Goal and Principles

• The primary goal of the Bobath Treatment Approach is to restore normal movement patterns and promote functional recovery.
• According to the approach, sensations of movement are learned through experience and repetition.
• The Law of Memory states that new motor skills are learned and retained through repeated practice.
• The Law of Shunting describes the process of redirecting abnormal motor patterns to normal ones.

Upper Motor Neuron Lesions (UMNL)

• The main aim of treatment for a patient with UMNL is to inhibit abnormal reflexes and facilitate normal motor patterns.
• The main problems in a patient with UMNL are abnormal motor patterns, increased tone, and loss of motor control.
• Sherrington's Law of Reciprocal Innervation states that when one muscle group is contracting, the opposing muscle group is inhibited.

Reflex Inhibiting Pattern (RIP)

• The Reflex Inhibiting Pattern (RIP) is a technique used to counter flexor spasticity in the trunk and arm.
• The main components of RIP are:
  • Inhibition of abnormal reflexes
  • Facilitation of normal motor patterns
  • Use of proprioception and vestibular stimulation

Treatment Considerations

• Released positive supporting reaction can help to facilitate normal motor patterns and improve balance.
• During treatment, abnormal patterns should be avoided to prevent reinforcement.
• Normal automatic postural reactions include:
  • Righting reactions
  • Equilibration reactions
  • Protective reactions
• RIP stands for Reflex Inhibiting Pattern.
• Sensory stimulation is essential for individuals with hypotonic or sensory disturbances to promote normal motor patterns.
• At the midbrain and cortical level, reflexes should be encouraged to promote normal motor control.