Profile of physical therapy in the rehabilitation of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease: a cross-sectional study

ABSTRACT This study analyzes the working profile of physical therapists from the states of Rio de Janeiro (RJ) and Rio Grande do Sul (RS) in the management of people with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). A total of 256 responses were obtained to a questionnaire sent via the electronic address of the Regional Councils of Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy (CREFITOS) 2 (RJ) and 5 (RS), from March to December 2020. The questionnaire comprises 36 closed questions, the variables of which were grouped into: (1) sample characterization; (2) specific data on the profession of physical therapist; and (3) issues related to AD. In this article, only issues related to AD will be analyzed. All questions were multiple choice with 2 to 15 options of answer. Most respondents (88.3%) had already treated patients with AD, but 50.8% needed to review the literature to assist these patients. The main objective reported in the management of the individual with AD was to “delay the progression of motor losses.” The practices were significantly different according to the stage of the disease (p<0.001). More than 85% of the participants cited as a benefit that physical therapy “delays physical dependence.” This study shows the need for further studies that specifically address the intermediate and advanced stages of AD since the current literature is inconclusive and with little evidence regarding physical therapy in the management of this population, making it impossible to create manuals and /or standardization of specific practices for each stage.