The Interaction Between Mild Cognitive Impairment with Vestibulo-ocular Reflex, Dynamic Visual Acuity and Postural Balance in Older Adults

• Published in: Experimental gerontology Vol. 130; p. 110785
• Main Authors: Baydan, Mine, Caliskan, Hatice, Balam-Yavuz, Burcu, Aksoy, Songul, Böke, Bilgehan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Inc 01.02.2020
• Subjects: Accidental Falls; Activities of Daily Living; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Case-Control Studies; Cognitive Dysfunction - complications; Dynamic visual acuity; Female; Humans; Male; Mild cognitive impairment; Postural balance; Postural Balance - physiology; Reflex, Vestibulo-Ocular - physiology; Risk Factors; Turkey; Vestibular Diseases - complications; Visual Acuity - physiology; Turkey; Dynamic visual acuity; Mild cognitive impairment; Postural balance
• ISSN: 0531-5565; 1873-6815; 1873-6815
• DOI: 10.1016/j.exger.2019.110785

Approximately 30% of the elderly population is falling each year, resulting in a major health problem. Cognitive decline is an independent risk factor for fall. Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a cognitive decline that is higher than expected in the subjects' age but does not affect the activities of daily living In the study, vestibulo-ocular reflexes, dynamic visual acuities and postural balances of subjects with mild cognitive impairment were evaluated and compared with the healthy control group. For this purpose, 10 subjects with mild cognitive impairment and 10 healthy subjects from the same age group were included in the study. After the hearing test was applied to the subjects, videonistagmography, dynamic visual acuity and computerized dynamic posturography measurements were performed. Computerized Dynamic Posturography VEST parameter, SOT (Sensory Organization Test) 2, SOT 3, SOT 6 and Composite Balance Scores were significantly lower in the MCI group. There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of videonistagmographic measurements. Dynamic Visual Acuity Perception Time Test scores of the subjects with mild cognitive impairment were significantly longer compared to the control group (p < 0.05). As a result of the study, it was concluded that subjects with mild cognitive impairment were more prone to fall compared to control group and that these subjects should be included in fall prevention rehabilitation programs. •Cognitive disorders increase the risk of falling.•Postural balance may attenuate in subjects with cognitive disorders.•One of the underlying causes of falls in subjects with cognitive disorders may be a postural imbalance.•Balance assessment should be added to the test battery of subjects with cognitive disorders.