[Current aspects of vertigo and dizziness in advanced age]

[How the brain perceives the world in old age with all senses]

BACKGROUND

Aging is a multidimensional process that may lead to physical, psychological and social changes. This is predominantly due to a decline of sensory functions and their central processing.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Selective literature search in Medline and the Cochrane Library.

RESULTS

In addition to specific disorders of the sensory organs, unspecific age-related degenerative processes are responsible for the high prevalence of sensory limitations in older people. This can lead to a significant reduction in the quality of life. Balance impairment, decreasing function of hearing, vision, smell and the somatosensory system are associated with an increased risk of falling and an increased mortality in older people. Furthermore, there is evidence for a link between hearing loss and cognitive decline. In addition to the functional ability of every sense on its own, the integration of multiple sensory perceptions plays an increasing role in age-related sensory limitations.

CONCLUSION

Sensory impairments have to be considered when working with older people. Early detection and an interdisciplinary therapeutic approach can reduce the negative consequences. Multimodal stimulation appears to stimulate brain plasticity which helps to compensate age-related changes.

Clinical effect of vestibular rehabilitation on benign paroxysmal positional vertigo: A protocol for systematic review

BACKGROUND

This study will evaluate the clinical effect of vestibular rehabilitation (VR) on benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV).

METHODS

In this study, we will identify relevant trials on the topic published in MEDLINE, EBASE, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Scopus, CINAHL, CBM, and CNKI from inception to the present. We will also search conference proceedings, thesis/dissertation, ongoing trials in clinical trial registry, and reference lists of included studies. Two researchers will independently carry out record selection, data extraction, and study quality assessment, respectively. Any disagreement will be arbitrated and solved with the help of a third researcher. If necessary, we will conduct random-effects meta-analysis to pool the effect estimates of included trials determined to be acceptable heterogeneity.

RESULTS

We will summarize the latest evidence to assess the effect of VR for the treatment of patients with BPPV.

CONCLUSION

The findings of this study will help determine whether or not VR is effective in treating BPPV.

OSF REGISTRATION

osf.io/k83y5.