Knowledge, awareness, and attitude of physical therapists on Alzheimer’s disease in Syria

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a growing global health concern, yet physical therapists’ (PTs) knowledge and attitudes toward AD in Syria remain understudied. This study assessed these factors to identify gaps and inform interventions. A cross-sectional study of 279 Syrian PTs used validated scales (ADKS, DAS). Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze knowledge, attitudes, and associated factors. PTs showed moderate knowledge (72.6% accuracy in AD-assessment/diagnosis and 59.5% in AD caregiving) but significant gaps (55.9% incorrectly linked tremors to AD). Attitudes toward AD patients were mixed: 72.4% recognized individualized care needs for AD patients, yet 70.9% expressed fear of working with AD patients. Both higher education (p = 0.044) and prior dementia experience (p = 0.018) correlated with better AD knowledge and more positive attitudes. Syrian PTs need targeted education on AD symptoms, risk factors, and AD-specific caregiving. Thus, integrating AD-specific training into curricula and AD-focused clinical rotations is critical to improving care for AD patients.