A recent study published in ‘Diabetes Metabolism Research and Reviews’ that assessed the chances of impaired vestibular perception of self-motion as a risk factor for unsteadiness and falls in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes revealed that impaired vestibular perception of self-motion represents a risk factor for the increased risk of postural instability and falls in the elderly with type 2 diabetes.

      The research included 113 participants aged between 65–75 years with T2D underwent tests of roll and pitch discrimination, postural stability (Berg Balance Scale, Modified Romberg Test, and quantitative posturography), clinical examination and blood chemistry analyses. Falls, one year after enrolment were self-reported. Cluster analysis based on the values of the vestibular motion thresholds, and logistic stepwise regression to compare the clinical-biochemical parameters between clusters were performed. The analyses revealed a significantly higher incidence of postural instability with a higher risk of failing the Modified Romberg Test C4 , reporting falls during follow-up, and a greater postural sway in the medio-lateral direction.

      According to the conclusions, assessing vestibular motion thresholds identifies individuals with T2D at risk of postural instability due to altered motion perception and guides vestibular rehabilitation.