EFFECT OF COMBINED BOBATH AND MOTOR RELEARNING PROGRAM ON MOTOR RECOVERY AND FUNCTIONAL INDEPENDENCE IN INDIVIDUALS WITH SUBACUTE STROKE: A PRE–POST INTERVENTIONAL STUDY

Abstract

Background
Stroke is one of the leading causes of long-term disability worldwide and frequently results in impaired
motor function, reduced balance, spasticity, and dependence in activities of daily living.
Neurorehabilitation aims to promote motor recovery by facilitating neuroplasticity through evidence-
based therapeutic interventions. The Bobath Concept focuses on facilitating normal movement patterns
and postural control, whereas the Motor Relearning Program (MRP) emphasizes repetitive, task-
oriented functional practice. Although both approaches are widely used in stroke rehabilitation,
evidence regarding the effectiveness of their combined application remains limited. The present study
was undertaken to evaluate whether integrating these two neurorehabilitation approaches could
enhance motor recovery and functional independence in individuals with subacute stroke.
Objective
To evaluate the effectiveness of a combined Bobath and Motor Relearning Program on motor recovery
and functional independence in individuals with subacute stroke.
Methods
A pre–post interventional study was conducted among 60 individuals with subacute stroke aged 40–70
years who fulfilled the predefined inclusion criteria. Participants received a combined Bobath and
Motor Relearning Program for 60 minutes per session, five sessions per week, for six consecutive
weeks. Motor recovery was assessed using the Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA), while functional
independence was evaluated using the Modified Barthel Index (MBI). Outcome measures were
recorded before and after completion of the intervention, and statistical analysis was performed to
determine treatment effectiveness.
Results
Following the six-week intervention, participants demonstrated statistically significant improvements
in motor recovery and functional independence (p < 0.001). Improvement in Fugl-Meyer Assessment
scores indicated enhanced voluntary motor control, coordination, and movement quality, whereas
higher Modified Barthel Index scores reflected increased independence in activities of daily living.
These findings suggest that the integration of Bobath facilitation techniques with task-oriented motor
relearning effectively promotes functional recovery in individuals with subacute stroke. The thesis
findings also demonstrated significant post-intervention improvements in motor performance
following the combined rehabilitation programme.
Conclusion
The combined Bobath and Motor Relearning Program is an effective neurorehabilitation intervention
for improving motor recovery and functional independence in individuals with subacute stroke.
Incorporating movement facilitation with repetitive, goal-directed functional training may optimize
neuroplastic adaptation and enhance rehabilitation outcomes. Further multicentre randomized
controlled trials with longer follow-up periods are recommended to confirm these findings.