Evaluation of utricular and cognitive vestibular functions in community-dwelling elderly individuals

Aim: Balance and gait disorders, which are common in the elderly, are also the leading causes of falls. Vestibular disorders in geriatric individuals are often accompanied by impairments in spatial functions. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between utricular function, assessed by the bucket test, and cognitive vestibular functions, evaluated through a questionnaire, in individuals aged 60 and over living in the community. Methods: Thirty individuals aged 60 and above were included in the study. The Mini-Mental State Examination, Snellen Chart, bucket test, and Cognitive Vestibular Function Scale were administered. Results: The relationship between the subscale scores and total score of the Cognitive Vestibular Function Scale and the findings of the bucket test was examined. No significant relationship was found between cognitive vestibular function and utricular function. Conclusion: In our study, no significant relationship was found between utricular function and self-reported cognitive vestibular function. However, the bucket test findings obtained from geriatric individuals may serve as normative data in older adults. Future studies using similar designs in elderly patients presenting with vestibular disorders may help clarify the relationship between utricular function and cognitive vestibular function.