This, the third edition of Berta Bobath's classic work, shows the continuation and development of treatment, while the underlying concept on which treatment was based has not changed. However, the emphasis on treatment is now more on the patient's active participation in partnership with the therapist in the holistic approach to the patient's individual problems. Moreover, treatment is no longer confined to academic exercises divorced from daily life, but makes use of familiar daily items, for example beds, tables, chairs, walls and stairs so that the patient can apply the treatment 'sessions' to daily activities. Berta Bobath has introduced some 25 per cent of new material consisting of the nature of the handicap, neurophysiological considerations, normal automatic postural reactions and abnormal postural reflex activity. In addition to the new artwork included, most of the existing artwork has been replaced. All the remaining sections have been considerably revised, updated and expanded. This new edition enables both therapy students and their teachers to increase their awareness of the problems and needs of individual patients and so increase their ability to provide the greatest possible assistance.