The ‘wider than normal’ plinth provides sufficient space for severely affected neurological patients to turn and sit up without fear of falling. And sitting on the edge of a plinth compared to sitting on the floor offers considerable advantages to people with spasticity in terms of a more active and self-controlled sitting position. Both aspects that play a significant role in Bobath therapy.
Nevertheless, the name cannot be traced back to Berta and Karel Bobath themselves. In no publication was a special plinth described as necessary, let alone a therapy device named after them. Even a therapist who had a close working collaboration and friendship with the Bobaths, who was asked about this, cannot remember the name Bobath plinth having been used by the Bobaths.
On the contrary, Berta and Karel Bobath emphasized an individualized and everyday-oriented approach in dealing with everyday objects. They formulated the claim that success of therapy must prove itself in the everyday life of the affected person.
It can be assumed that the term Bobath plinth was coined by therapists or possibly also by companies that equip therapy rooms who coined the term.
Description provided by Karoline Munsch of Germany
