Investigation of the Effects of Age-Related Changes in the Vestibular System on Balance: A Review

Abstract

The vestibular system (VS) undertakes vital tasks for the survival of the individual by perceiving the movement of the head according to gravity and adjusting on balance, autonomic function, spatial perception, and orientation. In addition to being the first system to develop in the intrauterine period, the VS continues to develop with childhood. Although the onset time varies depending on various factors, it is known that VS degenerates with aging. It has also been shown in the literature that the number of sensory vestibular hair cells decreases by approximately 6% per decade from birth to old age. In addition, neurons in the vestibular nuclei are known to decrease by about 3% per decade between the ages of 40 and 90. These age-related changes in VS may cause dizziness, loss of balance, unsteady gait, increased falls and even agitation, loneliness, and loss of self-confidence in elderly individuals. In addition, it is reported in the literature that falls due to vestibular disorder are among the third to tenth leading causes of death among older adults. In this sense, it is very important to determine age-related VS dysfunctions in the healthy aging action plans of the health systems of the countries and in the development of strategies to prevent age-related falls. At the same time, it is very valuable for physiotherapists working in the field of geriatric rehabilitation to know well the age-related changes of VS and its effects on balance in the creation of possible vestibular rehabilitation programs. We think that virtual reality applications applied in addition to vestibular rehabilitation for vestibular disorders are promising, especially hearing problems in the elderly population should not be overlooked and hearing aids should be prescribed if needed.