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Published: 2023-05-23
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The social problem of presbystasis and the role of vestibular rehabilitation in elderly patients: a review

Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Scientific Institute of Hospitalization and Care San Raffaele Hospital, Vita – Salute University, Milan, Italy
Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Scientific Institute of Hospitalization and Care San Raffaele Hospital, Vita – Salute University, Milan, Italy
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9763-3183
Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Scientific Institute of Hospitalization and Care San Raffaele Hospital, Vita – Salute University, Milan, Italy
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2391-2008
Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Scientific Institute of Hospitalization and Care San Raffaele Hospital, Vita – Salute University, Milan, Italy
Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Scientific Institute of Hospitalization and Care San Raffaele Hospital, Vita – Salute University, Milan, Italy
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4635-5654
Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Scientific Institute of Hospitalization and Care San Raffaele Hospital, Vita – Salute University, Milan, Italy
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0192-0194
Department of Sensorineural Disabilities, INAPP/Italian Institute of Social Medicine, Rome, Italy
dizziness frail elderly accidental falls postural balance rehabilitation

Abstract

The term “presbystasis” refers to a common clinical condition in the elderly, and characterised by a multifactorial and progressive impairment of balance. The pathophysiology may be related to various concomitant factors including central nervous system diseases, peripheral neuropathy, osteoarticular disorders (leading to a reduction of the speed gait), and cardiovascular or visual disorders, but it may also be a consequence of deficits of the peripheral or central vestibular system (which is generally represented by a bilateral and symmetric vestibular dysfunction). Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is far from being rare in subjects over the age of 70 years. Nowadays, presbystasis represents one of the main causes of accidental falls in the elderly leading to a reduction in quality of life and life expectancy. The aim of our work was to review the current literature on presbystasis, focusing on the role of the vestibular system in the pathogenesis and on the possibilities offered by vestibular rehabilitation in the management of these subjects. Other clinical conditions related to the disorder are also discussed.

Affiliations

Roberto Teggi

Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Scientific Institute of Hospitalization and Care San Raffaele Hospital, Vita – Salute University, Milan, Italy

Marco Familiari

Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Scientific Institute of Hospitalization and Care San Raffaele Hospital, Vita – Salute University, Milan, Italy

Rosa Alessia Battista

Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Scientific Institute of Hospitalization and Care San Raffaele Hospital, Vita – Salute University, Milan, Italy

Omar Gatti

Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Scientific Institute of Hospitalization and Care San Raffaele Hospital, Vita – Salute University, Milan, Italy

Iacopo Cangiano

Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Scientific Institute of Hospitalization and Care San Raffaele Hospital, Vita – Salute University, Milan, Italy

Mario Bussi

Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Scientific Institute of Hospitalization and Care San Raffaele Hospital, Vita – Salute University, Milan, Italy

Luciano Bubbico

Department of Sensorineural Disabilities, INAPP/Italian Institute of Social Medicine, Rome, Italy

Copyright

© Società Italiana di Otorinolaringoiatria e chirurgia cervico facciale , 2023

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