NDT / Bobath Approach

Vocabulary flashcards covering the definition, origins, assumptions, principles, and technical aspects of the NDT / Bobath Approach.

NDT (Neuro-Developmental Treatment)

A holistic and interdisciplinary clinical practice model emphasizing individualized therapeutic handling based on movement analysis for the habilitation and rehabilitation of individuals with neurologic pathophysiology.

Bobath Approach

The initial name for NDT, still used in many countries; it was developed by Berta Bobath and Dr. Karel Bobath in the 1940s.

Berta Bobath

A Physical Therapist who co-developed the Bobath Approach/NDT in the 1940s.

Dr. Karel Bobath

A Neuropsychiatrist who co-developed the Bobath Approach/NDT in the 1940s.

ICF Model in NDT

A problem-solving approach used to assess activity and participation to identify and prioritize relevant impairments as a basis for outcomes.

Spasticity

Abnormal stiffness in affected extremities identified by Bobath as a key impairment in patients with neurological disorders.

Non-functional Stereotypical patterns

Patterns of movement on the involved side of patients with neurological disorders noticed by Bobath as a major impairment.

Living Concept

A description of NDT indicating that the approach continues to evolve with new theories, research, and movement sciences.

Therapeutic Handling

The hallmark of NDT, involving a dynamic reciprocal interaction between client and therapist to activate optimal sensory-motor processing and skill acquisition.

Key Impairments in CP and Stroke

Impaired postural control and movement coordination, which are directly addressed in the NDT approach.

Theoretical Foundation of NDT

The philosophy that lesions in the CNS produce problems in the coordination of posture and movements combined with atypical muscle tone.

Patient as a Whole

An NDT theoretical principle that views the patient with respect to emotional, mental, physical, perceptual, and psychological well-being.

Interdisciplinary Team

A group including patients, caregivers, and professionals involved in the interactive process of assessment and treatment planning in NDT.

Placing and Holding

A technical principle of NDT used during therapeutic handling as part of the intervention process.

Key Points of Control

Specific areas on the patient's body that the therapist uses to guide or inhibit movement during therapeutic handling.

Inhibition techniques

Technical principles used in NDT to decrease or eliminate abnormal muscle tone and movement strategies.

Facilitation techniques

Technical principles used in NDT to encourage and strengthen normal movement patterns.

Movement Synchronicity

A technical principle of NDT relating to the timing and coordination of movement during therapy.

Intrinsic and Extrinsic Feedback

Types of feedback used as technical principles in NDT to guide movement and skill acquisition.

Base of Support and Alignment

Technical principles of NDT that focus on the patient's physical orientation and stability prior to and during movement.

Weight Bearing

A technical principle in NDT involving the application of weight through body parts to influence muscle tone and motor control.

Overall Treatment Goal

To enhance an individual's capacity to function and minimize impairments and disabilities by retraining normal movement responses.

Movement strategies

Approaches that combine the patient's active initiation and participation with the therapist's active handling.

Re-evaluation

The final component of the NDT examination process flowchart, occurring after the initial plan of care and intervention.

Hemiplegic side existing motor control

The motor control on the involved side that therapists should help patients use for goal-directed activities.

Adaptive devices

Tools listed as a technical principle of NDT to support function and movement.

1940s

The decade when the Bobath Approach was first developed by Berta and Karel Bobath.

North America

The region from which the term NDT (Neuro-Developmental Treatment) originated.

Ongoing evaluation

A process that should occur through every treatment session to optimize function.

Neurologic pathophysiology

The clinical condition for which NDT provides habilitation and rehabilitation.

Systemic impairments

Specific impairments targeted by intervention strategies to overcome functional limitations.

Stereotypical patterns of movement

Repeating, non-functional movement sequences often observed on the involved side of patients with neurological damage.

Functional limitations

Limitations resulting from CNS lesions that can be overcome when interventions target specific systemic impairments.

Treatment avoidance

The principle that NDT treatment should avoid movements that increase muscle tone or strengthen abnormal movement patterns.