Effects of Long‐term Use of Benzodiazepines on Gait and Standing Balance in the Elderly

F alls in older adults remain a major healthcare problem.Drug treatment, especially hyp- notics and benzodiazepines, has been shown to be a significant risk factor for falls.1,2 A complaint of insomnia is common in the elderly, and a serious number of them may be treated with long-term medication of hypnotics.Although the development of tolerance to the effects of benzodiazepines on postural stability has been reported, 3 unwanted locomotor disturbances may be associated with chronic use of these compounds.The objective of this investigation is to determine the influences of long-term use of benzodiazepines as hypnotics on standing balance and walking skill in frail elderly persons.