THE CONTEMPORARY BOBATH NEURODEVELOPMENTAL TREATMENT CONCEPT AND DYSPHAGIA FOLLOWING TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY: A STATE-OF-THE-ART REVIEW AND THERAPEUTIC PERSPECTIVES

Abstract

Dysphagia following a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is a complex condition that intertwines motor, sensory, cognitive, and postural alterations, affecting respiratory and oropharyngeal coordination. This narrative review examines recent evidence on post?TBI dysphagia and explores the clinical plausibility of the Bobath Concept as an integrative neurofunctional approach. The studies reviewed highlight the importance of early intervention and sensorimotor strategies to support functional reorganization. Although no research has directly applied the Bobath approach to this population, indirect evidence supports its influence on postural control, respiration, and orofacial functions. Taken together, these findings suggest that the Bobath Concept may be considered a clinically reasonable option to optimize postural foundations and motor patterns involved in the rehabilitation of dysphagia after TBI.