Malnutrition-sarcopenia syndrome (MSS), the co-occurrence of malnutrition and sarcopenia, significantly increases morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs. Despite its substantial impact, MSS often goes under-recognized and under-treated. Physical therapists (PTs) are ideally positioned to contribute to MSS care, yet their specific practices and the barriers they face remain largely unexplored. This study assessed PTs practices in MSS management including malnutrition-risk screening and treatment, sarcopenia screening, assessment and treatment, and identified key factors associated with their integration into clinical practice. A nationwide cross-sectional survey of 337 Israeli PTs revealed a low MSS care integration score (39/100), with a significant discrepancy between the high rate of sarcopenia risk recognition (95.7%) and the low rate of formal assessment and treatment (27% respectively). Malnutrition risk screening and treatment (6%, respectively) was lower than sarcopenia. Positive attitudes and beliefs towards MSS management, greater MSS knowledge, and interprofessional collaboration were significantly associated with increased MSS integration. However, substantial barriers persisted, including role ambiguity, inadequate institutional support, and the underutilization of validated assessment tools and evidence-based guidelines. These findings necessitate targeted educational initiatives, the adoption of standardized protocols, and clear policy directives to strengthen PTs’ roles in MSS identification and management. Future research should explore how diverse workplace settings and broader regulatory frameworks influence the ability of PTs to improve MSS care and patient outcomes.
Netzer et al. (2026) studied this question.