The Bobath Concept is a problem-solving approach to the assessment and rehabilitation of clients with disturbances of postural control, movement and function, due to a lesion in the central nervous system (CNS). It has been developed for clients with acquired neurological conditions caused, for example, by strokes or head injury, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury (incomplete) etc. and for clients with neuro-development conditions, such as cerebral palsy.

This approach to rehabilitation of people with neurological disabilities was originated in the work of Berta Bobath, a physiotherapist, and her husband Karel, a neurophysiologist. It has achieved international recognition as one of the foremost approaches to the treatment and management of clients with neurological conditions.

It is based upon knowledge of motor control, motor learning, neural and muscle plasticity and biomechanics. The aim of the Bobath treatment is to improve or restore function following neurological impairment. The treatment is tailored to client’s individual needs and is based upon an assessment of their abilities and analysis of their movement disorder. This is achieved through the use of specialized handling techniques that help to reduce spasticity and facilitate more normal movement.
The prerequisite for this, however, is a consequent support and stimulation of the client on the part of her caretakers. Together with the client, her family and caretakers I work as a team to identify the functional difficulties that the client has. Relevant, achievable short term goals will be set to attain the desired function.
The Bobath concept stresses the individual nature of each person’s challenges and the necessity for goal setting and intervention to be determined for the specific individual.
In the United States the Bobath Concept is usually referred to as Neuro-Developmental Therapy.The concept continues to be developed by Bobath therapists working in this specialist field.