Current Understanding of Dementia Assessment and Management by Clinical Physiotherapists: A Narrative Review

Abstract

Dementia is a progressive neurological condition affecting a growing number of individuals worldwide. However, the knowledge of clinical physiotherapists regarding dementia assessment and management is not well understood. This narrative review aims to comprehensively understand the current state of knowledge among clinical physiotherapists in this area. A thorough search across four electronic databases identified 337 articles, with 13 articles included for analysis. Key themes emerged, revealing a lack of understanding among clinical physiotherapists regarding different types of dementia and their underlying causes. Inadequate assessment of functional abilities and limited knowledge of non-pharmacological interventions for dementia were also observed. Collaboration with other healthcare professionals was identified as critical. This narrative review highlights the knowledge gaps among clinical physiotherapists in dementia assessment and management. Continuous education, collaboration, and evidence-based practice are crucial for addressing these gaps and improving the care provided by clinical physiotherapists to individuals with dementia.