Effectiveness of the Bobath concept in the treatment of stroke: a systematic review

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness of the Bobath concept in sensorimotor rehabilitation after stroke.

Materials and methods: A systematic literature review was conducted on the Bobath concept from the first publication available to January 2018, consulting PUBMED, CENTRAL, CINAHL and PEDro databases. Fifteen clinical trials were selected in two consecutive screenings. Two independent researchers rated the studies according to the PEDro scale from which a best evidence synthesis was derived to determine the strength of the evidence.

Results: The Bobath concept is not more effective than other approaches used in post-stroke rehabilitation. There is moderate evidence for the superiority of other therapeutic approaches such as forced use of the affected upper limb and constraint-induced movement therapy for motor control of the upper limb.

Conclusions: The Bobath concept is not superior to other approaches for regaining mobility, motor control of the lower limb and gait, balance and activities of daily living of patients after stroke. There is moderate evidence regarding the superior results of other approaches in terms of the motor control and dexterity of the upper limb. Due to the limitations concerning the methodological quality of the studies, further well-designed studies are needed.

Implications for rehabilitation

• The Bobath concept is not superior to other approaches for patients after stroke.

• The treatments that incorporate overuse of the affected upper limb via intensive treatments with high-repetitions with or without robotic aids present greater effectiveness in the motor control of the upper limb and dexterity.

Keywords:

• Bobath concept
• neurodevelopmental treatment
• stroke
• physical therapy
• rehabilitation
• systematic review

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank the Faculty of Nursing, Physiotherapy and Podiatry of the Complutense University of Madrid. Furthermore, we would like to acknowledge the invaluable support from Isabel Quintero for her assistance with the translation of the manuscript.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.