The Bobath concept is an approach to rehabilitating people with damage to the central nervous system, most often after a stroke, in which the physiotherapist makes it easier for the patient to perform a movement and trains it in everyday activities. It has been developed since the 1940s, and the training standard for therapists working with adults is set by the international association IBITA, founded in 1984.
In this article we explain what the concept involves, what therapy looks like, what research says about it and who it can help. It is part of our guide rehabilitation after a stroke.
In brief
- The concept was created by Berta Bobath (a physiotherapist) and Karel Bobath (a neurologist) in London in the 1940s.
- Since 1984, IBITA (International Bobath Instructors Training Association) has set course standards for therapists working with adults.
- Research reviews have not shown Bobath to be more effective than other forms of neurological rehabilitation.
- Therapy can take place at the clinic in Rydułtowy or in the patient’s home (approximately PLN 200 within 5 km, then + PLN 2/km, up to 15 km).
- The clinic offers private visits only (not covered by NFZ, the Polish public health fund), Mon–Fri 7:00–20:00.
Contents
What does the Bobath concept involve?
The Bobath concept involves assessing how the patient moves during specific activities and helping them move more efficiently, for example through touch, guidance and appropriate body positioning. The therapist does not perform the movement for the patient, but helps them start and control it. The aim is the greatest possible independence in everyday life, not completing a single exercise.
It is a concept, not a rigid method with a ready-made set of exercises. Therapy is planned on the basis of what the patient can do and what their goals are, e.g. walking to the bathroom on their own. Great emphasis is placed on trunk control and shifting body weight. The therapist also teaches the family how to help with moving around, so that the movement practised in therapy is repeated during the day.
Who does the Bobath concept help?
The adult version of the Bobath concept (IBITA) is used for people with damage to the brain or spinal cord, above all after a stroke, but also after traumatic brain injuries, in multiple sclerosis, after neurosurgery and in other neurological conditions. Therapy is adapted both to bedridden patients and to those who walk independently.
Typical problems include weakness of one side of the body, balance problems, increased muscle tone and difficulty walking. For children with cerebral palsy, a separate paediatric version of the concept (NDT-Bobath) is used, with a different training system. We write about physiotherapy in Parkinson’s disease separately in the article Parkinson’s disease — how physiotherapy helps.
What does Bobath therapy look like?
Therapy begins with an assessment: the physiotherapist observes how the patient lies, sits down, gets up, stands and walks, and agrees goals with them and their family. They then practise specific activities with the patient, making movement easier with their hands and with appropriate positioning. The first visit, i.e. the consultation, costs PLN 180 at the clinic, and the number of visits is decided individually.
Therapy step by step:
- Interview and documents — hospital discharge summary, test results, medication.
- Assessment of function — movement, muscle tone, sensation, balance.
- Goals — specific ones, e.g. “getting up from a chair on my own”.
- Therapy — practising activities with facilitated movement.
- Advice for home — positions and ways of helping.
The patient works actively, in comfortable clothing. If travelling is difficult, therapy can take place at home — we describe this in the post home physiotherapy after a stroke.
Home physiotherapyneurological therapy in the patient's home, within 15 km of Rydułtowyapproximately PLN 200 within 5 km, then + PLN 2/km; we confirm the exact price when bookingIs the Bobath concept effective?
The Bobath concept is one of the most widely used in neurological rehabilitation, but research reviews have not shown it to be more effective than other approaches, and in some analyses task-specific training gave better results for lower limb function. Guidelines stress that what matters most is intensity, regularity and practising specific activities, regardless of the name of the method.
That is why in practice the Bobath concept is combined with walking, strength, endurance and balance training. The concept itself has also evolved: today it focuses more on the patient’s active participation than on “inhibiting” muscle tone.
When is Bobath therapy not enough, or when should you see a doctor first?
Therapy based on the Bobath concept does not replace neurological treatment. With sudden symptoms such as a drooping corner of the mouth, weakness in an arm or leg or speech problems, call 112 immediately. A doctor is also needed for a rapid decline in function, a severe headache, seizures, worsening spasticity that makes care difficult, and swelling of one calf.
Decisions about medication for spasticity or botulinum toxin injections are made by a doctor, and physiotherapy complements them. At the “W zdrowym ciele” clinic, the Recommended specialists section lists a neurologist, Radosław Bienek, MD, PhD.
Good to know: you can ask your therapist whether they have completed an IBITA Bobath course (basic or advanced) .
Summary
The Bobath concept (IBITA) is an approach to rehabilitating adults after a stroke or other brain injury, in which movement is practised in everyday activities with the therapist’s help. Research does not show it to be superior to other approaches, so it is combined with task, walking and strength training. In Rydułtowy a consultation costs PLN 180, and home therapy approximately PLN 200 within 5 km, then PLN 2/km.
Frequently asked questions
What does IBITA stand for?
IBITA is the International Bobath Instructors Training Association, an international association of Bobath concept instructors founded in 1984. It sets course standards for physiotherapists, occupational therapists and speech and language therapists working with adult neurological patients. A course run by an IBITA instructor ends with a certificate, which you can ask your therapist about.
How does Bobath for adults differ from Bobath for children?
Both versions come from the work of Berta and Karel Bobath, but they have separate training systems and different goals. The IBITA concept is for adults after a stroke or other brain injury. The paediatric version, called NDT-Bobath, is mainly intended for children with cerebral palsy and delayed motor development.
Does Bobath therapy hurt?
Therapy based on the Bobath concept should not hurt. The patient moves actively, and the therapist makes the movement easier through touch and body positioning. The exercises can, however, be physically tiring and require concentration. Pain, especially in the shoulder on the weaker side, should be reported to the therapist, as it calls for a change in the way of working and sometimes a consultation with a doctor.
Can Bobath therapy be carried out at home?
Yes. Working in the patient’s home makes it possible to practise activities exactly where they are done every day, e.g. getting up from your own bed or walking to the bathroom. The “W zdrowym ciele” clinic visits patients within 15 km of Rydułtowy, and a visit costs approximately PLN 200 within 5 km, then PLN 2 per kilometre.
How much does Bobath therapy cost in Rydułtowy?
The first visit, i.e. a physiotherapy consultation, costs PLN 180 at the “W zdrowym ciele” clinic. A home visit costs approximately PLN 200 within 5 km, then PLN 2 per kilometre, and the patient is given the exact price when booking. The clinic has no contract with the NFZ (the Polish public health fund). Prices valid from 08.2026.
Do I need a referral for Bobath therapy?
No referral is needed for private therapy at the “W zdrowym ciele” clinic. It is worth bringing your hospital discharge summary, imaging results and the neurologist’s recommendations, though. A referral is only required if the patient uses NFZ-funded neurological rehabilitation at another facility.
Sources
- IBITA. Theoretical assumptions and clinical practice. ibita.org.
- Scrivener K et al. Bobath therapy is inferior to task-specific training and not superior to other interventions in improving lower limb activities after stroke: a systematic review. J Physiother. 2020;66(4):225–235.
- Kollen BJ et al. The effectiveness of the Bobath concept in stroke rehabilitation: what is the evidence? Stroke. 2009;40:e89–e97.
- Winstein CJ et al. Guidelines for Adult Stroke Rehabilitation and Recovery. AHA/ASA. Stroke. 2016;47:e98–e169.
About the author: Tatiana Grabowska, MSc — master’s degree in physiotherapy; since 2013 she has run the “W zdrowym ciele” physiotherapy and rehabilitation clinic in Rydułtowy (about 12 years of practice), PWZFz 11646 (Polish licence to practise as a physiotherapist). She provides neurological rehabilitation at the clinic and in patients’ homes . Physiotherapist’s page
- Consultation180 PLN
- Referralnot needed
- ReceptionMon–Fri: 7.00–20.00
