The relationship between depression, falls, dizziness, and physical activity in geriatric individuals with BPPV

Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) represents the most common cause of vertigo in the geriatric population. The condition constitutes a multidimensional clinical presentation characterized by dizziness, imbalance, fear of falling, limitations in activities of daily living, and emotional and functional impairment. The aim of this study was to subjectively evaluate the relationships between dizziness and physical function, activities of daily living, fear of falling, emotional status, and depressive symptoms in geriatric individuals diagnosed with BPPV.

The study included 52 individuals aged 60 years and older who had been diagnosed with BPPV and 52 healthy individuals in the same age group. The diagnostic process was monitored using Videonystagmography (VNG). Following confirmation of diagnosis and prior to any therapeutic repositioning maneuvers, all outcome measures were administered in the pre-treatment assessment phase. During this phase, the Yesavage Geriatric Depression Scale-Short Form (GDS-15), the Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale (ABC), the European Evaluation of Vertigo Scale (EEV), the Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI), and the Falls Behavioral Scale for Older Adults (FaB) were administered.Statistical analyses were performed to evaluate the data. Normality was assessed using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. Continuous variables were expressed as mean ± standard deviation and categorical variables as frequency (%). Independent samples t-test and chi-square test were used for group comparisons. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Internal consistency was evaluated using Cronbach's alpha coefficient.

No significant difference was observed in the total GDS-15 score (p > 0.05). In contrast, statistically significant differences were identified between the groups in the total scores of the ABC, EEV, DHI, and FaB, as well as in the FaB subdomains of safe mobility, avoidance, awareness, practical strategies, detection of level changes, and reaching the telephone (p < 0.05).

Balance confidence, dizziness-related disability, and fall-related behaviors were found to be significantly adversely affected in geriatric patients with BPPV compared with healthy controls.