INTEGRATING NUTRITIONAL STRATEGIES INTO PHYSICAL THERAPY PRACTICE: ENHANCING RECOVERY AND OPTIMIZING PATIENT OUTCOMES

Abstract

Background: Nutrition plays a vital role in rehabilitation by supporting tissue repair, modulating inflammation, and enhancing functional outcomes. Despite its importance, nutritional guidance is often underutilized in physical therapy (PT) practice due to knowledge gaps and systemic barriers. Objectives: This study aimed to assess the nutritional knowledge of practicing physical therapists, evaluate the frequency of nutritional counseling in clinical settings, and identify perceived barriers to integrating nutrition into rehabilitation care. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted from January to July 2025 among 120 licensed physical therapists in Lahore, Pakistan. A structured questionnaire and the validated Nutritional Lifestyle Scale (NLS) assessed nutritional knowledge, counseling behaviors, and lifestyle habits. Data were analyzed using SPSS v28 with descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and Pearson correlation analysis. Results: Most participants were aged 31–40 years, with 50% working in orthopedic rehabilitation. Nutritional knowledge was moderate in 50% of respondents, low in 35%, and high in only 15%. Regarding counseling practices, 33.3% rarely and 25.0% never provided nutritional advice, while only 12.5% reported doing so often or always. Key barriers included lack of knowledge (40%), time constraints (25%), and limited patient interest (15%). A significant positive correlation was found between knowledge scores and counseling frequency (r = 0.42, p < 0.01), and therapists with healthier personal dietary habits were more likely to counsel patients. Conclusions: There is a notable disconnect between the value of nutrition in rehabilitation and its practical application in PT. Targeted education and interdisciplinary collaboration are essential to bridge this gap and improve patient outcomes through integrated care.