Nutrition and Physical Therapy: A Position Paper by the Physical Therapist Section of the Japanese Association of Rehabilitation Nutrition (Secondary Publication)

Abstract

Several patients undergoing physical therapy have nutritional problems. Knowledge of nutrition is necessary for addressing nutritional problems, such as malnutrition, sarcopenia, frailty, and cachexia. However, the relationship between physical therapy and nutrition is not fully understood. Physical therapy plays an important role in nutritional management, and evaluations, such as muscle strength and muscle mass evaluations, play an important role in nutritional screening and diagnosis. Exercise, as the core of physical therapy, is essential for nutritional interventions. Several recent studies have suggested that a combination of nutrition and physical therapy interventions can maximize the function, activity, participation, and quality of life of patients. The combination of nutrition and physical therapy interventions is key to addressing the needs of modern and diverse populations. This position paper was developed by the Physical Therapist Section of the Japanese Association of Rehabilitation Nutrition in consultation with the Japanese Society of Nutrition and Swallowing Physical Therapy.

Association of Objectively Measured Physical Activity with Physical Function in Patients with Sarcopenia during Hospitalized Rehabilitation

“…One possible reason for this result is the difference in physical functioning between community-dwelling and inpatients [ 16 , 31 ]. Participants who were hospitalized for rehabilitation often had decreased physical function, and we also excluded patients with higher physical function (i.e., SPPB ≥ 10).…”

“…Furthermore, another systematic review suggested that exercise and nutrition interventions may be useful in improving physical function in patients with sarcopenia [ 15 ]. Therefore, management of physical exercise and nutrition in patients undergoing rehabilitation is important [ 16 ].…”

Sarcopenic Dysphagia and Simplified Rehabilitation Nutrition Care Process: An Update

“…Nutritional physical therapy overlaps with rehabilitation nutrition, and the two concepts share goals, assessment, and intervention strategies. The practice of these two concepts requires both perspectives [ 30 ]: physical therapy that considers nutrition status and nutritional care management that maximizes the effectiveness of physical therapy. Exercise therapy consists of flexibility exercises, resistance training, and aerobic training.…”

“…Exercise load settings are determined using subjective exercise intensity (Borg scale) and other factors, and exercise frequency, intensity, and duration are adjusted. Exercise and nutrition therapy are effective, however few reports exist on the effectiveness of nutritional physiotherapy [ 30 ]. In addition, systematic clinical practice based on a bi-directional nutrition and physical therapy perspective is limited.…”

“…Evidence on rehabilitation nutrition was gradually accumulating, and the 2020 Clinical Practice Guidelines for Rehabilitation Nutrition weakly recommend enhanced nutrition therapy in cerebrovascular disease, hip fracture, cancer, and acute illness [ 28 ]. The Japanese Association of Rehabilitation Nutrition have been reported 7 position papers, including “Goal setting for nutrition and body weight in rehabilitation nutrition” [ 29 ], “Nutritional, physical therapy for specific diseases” [ 30 ] and “Respiratory sarcopenia: a position paper by four professional organizations” [ 31 ].…”