StrokeEd Lecture: De-implementation of Bobath therapy post-stroke as part of upper and lower limb rehabilitation

Title: De-implementation of Bobath therapy post-stroke as part of upper and lower limb rehabilitation

Description: The presenters will summarise findings from two systematic reviews about the effect of Bobath therapy on upper and lower limb function when compared with other interventions post- stroke. The reviews included 13 and 22 randomised controlled trials, respectively, and found Bobath therapy to be inferior to task-specific training and not superior to other interventions such as mental practice, robotics or strength training, with the exception of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (from a single RCT).   A key message from this robust evidence is that task-specific training should be prioritised over Bobath therapy. In this presentation, examples of task-specific training will be provided, and common barriers and enablers to this practice change identified.  Audience members will be invited to consider what behaviours need to change, and who needs to enable these changes at their health service for the benefit of stroke survivors.

Learning objectives: By the end of the presentation, attendees will be able to

• Describe the UK/Ireland guideline recommendations about use of Bobath therapy to improve upper and lower limb function post-stroke
• Name and describe the findings of published studies on which the recommendations are based
• Describe what task-specific training is, & how it might be used to train upper and lower limb function
• Reflect on who needs to enable practice change at their health service, local barriers and enablers

Presenters:  Associate Professor Simone Dorsch, PhD MHSc (Neurological Physiotherapy), BAppSc (Physiotherapy), Physiotherapist, School of Allied Health,  Faculty of Health Sciences, Australian Catholic University (NSW) Australia and Director, The StrokeEd Collaboration, Sydney, Australia & Zheng Cao, physiotherapist, PhD candidate and sessional tutor, Australian Catholic University, Sydney, Australia.  Simone and Zheng will be joined by Clair Sparrius, a private practice physiotherapist from ABC Rehabilitation, West Dubbo, Central Western NSW, Australia

Date and Time: Wednesday 28th February 2024, 6.00-7.00PM AEDT

* London/ UK/ Ireland BST = 7am / Copenhagen = 8am / Brisbane = 5pm / Perth = 3pm / Adelaide = 5.30pm / Auckland = 8pm / Singapore = 3pm / Ottawa = 2am

Cost: Free

Online format: This presentation will be delivered as a Zoom Webinar. Registrants will receive an email several days before the event, with a personal link associated with their email address.  The lecture will be attended by up to 500 registrants, and will also be recorded and made available free via the StrokeEd “Resources’ library.