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Thank you for this opportunity to share perspectives from our work within the Physiotherapy and Refugees Education Project, PREP, an Erasmus+ funded project within the KA2 strategic partnership program. Researchers, educators, students, and clinicians within institutions of higher education, health services and humanitarian organisations, have worked together in this project to define competencies that physiotherapists need in working with refugees. Based on this, we have made a course openly available for physiotherapists worldwide. A central aim of the work in PREP has been the creation of a network in which educators, students and clinicians can meet, discuss, and learn from each other. We welcome everyone who shares our interest to join us in this network. In this perspective paper, we want to share our thoughts and opinions on how such a collaboration can be used for building competence. We will discuss topics that are central for physiotherapists working with victims of torture, and finally, we will discuss what we believe are the important next steps within physiotherapy to be able to support this group.

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of cognition on motor function using 2 simple everyday tasks, talking and walking, in younger subjects with Alzheimer’s disease and mild cognitive impairment. A second aim was to evaluate reliability for the dual-task test Talking While Walking. Walking speed during single and dual task and time change between single and dual task were compared between groups. The test procedure was repeated after 1 week. Subjects with AD had lower walking speed and greater time change between single and dual task compared with healthy controls. Reliability for Talking While Walking was very good. The results show that motor function in combination with a cognitive task, as well as motor function alone, influences subjects with Alzheimer’s disease in a negative way and that decreased walking speed during single- and dual-task performance may be an early symptom in Alzheimer’s disease.

Basic mobility, balance, gait and dual-task performance were characterised in 140 consecutive subjects referred to a multidisciplinary university hospital in a geriatric setting for cognitive symptoms and possible dementia. After completion of an extensive diagnostic evaluation, subjects were classified into four diagnostic categories: no cognitive impairment, mild cognitive impairment, Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and other dementia. Mean age was 57 ± 9.2, 60 ± 7.3, 68 ± 9.9 and 64 ± 10.5, respectively. Data on motor function, medication use and presence of white matter changes were evaluated and compared between the diagnostic groups. Motor function seems to be affected in very mild AD but not in mild cognitive impairment, as assessed with performance-based tests. AD subjects were slowed and had difficulties in dual-task performance requiring concurrently performing a cognitive task while walking.

To clarify if Alzheimer’s disease has an impact on activity level and postural control, we examined 17 elderly diagnosed with mild Alzheimer’s disease (MMSE scores 21–29) and 18 age- and gender-matched healthy controls (MMSE scores 27–30) using the Frenchay Activities Index, Bergs Balance Scale, Timed Up & Go and Walking in a Figure of Eight. Mild AD subjects were less active and had lower scores on Bergs Balance Scale, performed Timed Up & Go in longer time and took more steps outside the Figure of Eight, as compared to healthy elderly. This study shows that motor performance is affected already at mild stages of Alzheimer’s disease and also that functional performance other than gait may also be impaired.