Presbyastasis: a multifactorial cause of balance problems in the elderly

Hearing and Balance in Healthy Aging Project: Characterization of Hearing, Balance, and Other Associated Disorders in Three Population Groups Aged 55 and Over

INTRODUCTION

Active aging emphasizes optimizing health and participation for a better quality of life as people age. This paper explores the significant impact of hearing loss and balance disorders on the elderly. Age-related hearing loss is thought to contribute to communication breakdown and cognitive dysfunctions. The "hearing and balance in healthy aging" project focuses on early detection, mitigation, and advocacy. Objectives include exploring epidemiological traits, evaluating overall well-being impact, proving positive intervention effects, and advocating societal care for the elderly with hearing loss and balance disorders, aiming to reduce their broader impact on cognition, independence, and sociability.

METHODS

This study is observational, prospective study. Subjects over 55 years old with a follow-up every year or every 2 years were divided into three groups, according to their hearing and balance: within the normal range (group A), detected and not treated (group B), and detected and treated (group C). At each visit, they underwent a series of tests or questionnaires, evaluating different areas: hearing, balance, cognition, depression, dependence, tinnitus, loneliness, health.

RESULTS

A total of 710 patients were included in the study. The distribution of patients was as follows: group A - 210 patients, group B - 302 patients, and group C - 198 patients. Significant differences were found between the three groups related to age, sex, educational level, bilingualism, and work activity. In group C, there was a higher percentage of males, older than in groups A and B, and the percentage of individuals with a university education was lower (28%), as was the rate of bilingualism (23%). In terms of hearing, significant differences were found in the three groups in the mean PTA, speech discrimination in quiet, and the HINT test, with worse results for group C. Only patients in group C presented a perception of hearing impairment, and the handicap caused by hearing impairment worsened from group A to C. Concerning balance, both tests performed (TuGT and DHI) revealed increased difficulty in maintaining autonomous walking from group A to C, which, again, exhibited the worst results, with statistically significant differences across the group. Analysis about cognition revealed significant differences in DSST questionnaires and in TMT scores, where group C had the worst scores. In HUI3 questionnaire scores, the differences between each and every group were statistically significant, with group C showing moderate disability.

CONCLUSION

This extensive analysis, encompassing a considerable number of subjects, reveals significant findings that have important implications for the early prevention of hearing loss and its consequent consequences. At the same time, these data represent an initial exploration, which raises the need for in-depth examinations of additional factors and longer follow-up to continue contributing insights and knowledge for a healthy aging.

Perspectives: Evaluation of Older Adult Cochlear Implant Candidates for Fall Risk in a Developing Country Setting

Dizziness, vertigo, and falls are common in older adults. Data suggest that cochlear implant candidates are no different and could be argued to be at elevated risk due to the presence of hearing loss and likely vestibular involvement. Perspectives contextualizes current testing and screening paradigms for vestibular deficits and fall risk and suggests a protocol suitable for use in developing country settings.

Association between Ambulatory Status and Functional Disability in Elderly People with Dementia

Dementia is highly comorbid with gait disturbance, and both conditions negatively impact the ability of elderly people to conduct daily living activities. The ambulatory status of older adults with dementia may cause variable functional disability, which is crucial for the progression of dementia. The present study investigated the association between ambulatory status with functional disability in elderly people and dementia by using the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 (WHODAS 2.0). In total, 34,040 older adults with mild-to-advanced dementia were analyzed and categorized according to their ambulatory status into three groups: Nonambulatory, assisted ambulatory, and ambulatory. In general, poor ambulatory status was associated with both greater severity of dementia and functional disability. The study participants were further segregated according to their ages and dementia severity levels, which demonstrated that the WHODAS 2.0 domains of functioning for getting along, life activities, and participation (domains 4, 5-1, and 6) were all associated with ambulatory status. In addition, nonambulatory status was significantly associated with institution residency among older adults with dementia. In conclusion, the present study clearly demonstrated the role of ambulatory status in functional disability in older adults with dementia, and the association persisted among older adults of different ages and severities of dementia. This finding indicates the importance of maintaining walking ability in the management of dementia in older adults.

Vestibulotoxicity Associated With Platinum-Based Chemotherapy in Survivors of Cancer: A Scoping Review

Background: Cochleotoxicity following the treatment with platinum-based chemotherapy is well documented. The potential for vestibulotoxicity is still unclear. This scoping review examined the extent of current research literature, summarized research findings and identified research gaps regarding vestibular-related adverse effects associated with platinum-based chemotherapy in survivors of cancer.

Methods: Inclusion criteria followed the PICO principles: Participants, adult, and pediatric cancer patients of any cancer type; Intervention, platinum-based chemotherapy (such as cisplatin, carboplatin, and oxaliplatin); Control, none or any; Outcomes, vestibular-related adverse effects. English language articles published since 1978 were retrieved. Seventy-five eligible studies were identified from a systematic literature search, and relevant data were charted, collated, and summarized.

Results: Testing for vestibulotoxicity predominately featured functional evaluation of the horizontal semicircular canal using the caloric and rotational tests. The rate of abnormal vestibular function test results after chemotherapy administration varied from 0 to 50%. The results of objective testing did not always correspond to patient symptoms. There is tentative support for patients with pre-existing loss of vestibular function to be more likely to experience vestibular toxicity after dosing with cisplatin.

Conclusions: A number of studies reported significant evidence of vestibular toxicities associated with platinum-based chemotherapy, especially cisplatin. This scoping review emphasizes that vestibular toxicity needs more attention and comprehensive evaluation. Specifically, studies that analyse cumulative dose of platinum-based chemotherapy, affected sites of lesion in vestibular end organs, and the correlation and temporal patterns of cochlear and vestibular toxicity are needed.

Is Kinect Training Superior to Conventional Balance Training for Healthy Older Adults to Improve Postural Control?

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effects of balance training to improve postural control in adults older than 60. Our aim was to find out if Kinect training is superior to the conventional balance training in aspects of functional balance tests and posturography measurements testing postural stability through visual feedback.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Thirty subjects participated in the Kinect training group (29 women and 1 man), practiced Kinect Adventures and Sports, 23 volunteers (22 women and 1 man) attended the conventional balance training, and 22 participants (18 women and 4 men) were allocated to the no-intervention control group. Both interventions lasted for 6 weeks, three times a week, and 30 minutes per session. The Four-Square Step Test, Functional Reach Test, Timed Up and Go test, Timed Up and Go cognitive dual-task test were measured, and for the assessment of the limit of stability (LOS), we used computerized posturography. Measurements were taken before the training at baseline and 6 weeks after (follow-up) the interventions. Statistical analysis was done through two-factor mixed analysis of variance and Newman-Keuls post hoc test.

RESULTS

Both training groups showed progress in the follow-up measurements; however, more statistically significant improvements were found in favor of the Kinect balance training group (Timed Up and Go test [P < 0.05], Timed Up and Go cognitive dual-task test [P < 0.05], Four-Square Step Test [P < 0.05], Functional Reach Test [P < 0.05], LOS movement velocity [P < 0.05]).

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that Kinect balance training may be a preferable and safe method for the healthy older adults to improve postural control and reduce the possibility of falling.

Postural response characterization in elderly patients with bilateral vestibular hypofunction

CONCLUSIONS

The measurement of the energy consumption (EC) of the body's center of pressure (COP) to maintain the upright stance position was higher in elderly patients with bilateral vestibular hypofunction (BVH) compared with a control group and may be a valid parameter in the assessment of balance disorders.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study was to evaluate the energy consumption of the COP in elderly patients with BVH.

METHODS

The COP was recorded on a force platform (FP) for eight elderly patients with BVH related to aging and eight normal control group subjects. The EC of the COP was calculated using the discrete wavelet transform. The two groups were tested in standing position on the FP in three sensory conditions:1, eyes open; 2, eyes closed; and 3, standing on a foam pad placed on the force platform. Wilcoxon's rank test and multi-factor analysis of variance were used, with the level of significance set at 0.05.

RESULTS

BVH patients showed higher values of EC of the COP signal measured in arbitrary units compared with the control group (conditions 1 and 2). None of the BVH patients could perform the test in condition 3. BVH patients had increased EC in the frequency band between 0.1 and 0.78 Hz when the visual information was canceled (condition 2).