Investigation of Balance, Kinesiophobia, and Mobility in Older Adults Exposed to Polypharmacy

Aim: Older adults often face significant issues related to functionality, balance, and fall risk. This study aimed to investigate balance, kinesiophobia, and mobility in older adults exposed to polypharmacy. Material and Methods: This cross-sectional study included a total of 75 individuals aged 65 years and over who were exposed to polypharmacy and presented to a university hospital between November 2023 and March 2024, and with a standardized mini-mental test (SMMT) score of 25 and above. Data were collected using the patient introduction and medication use questionnaire, the Berg balance scale (BBS), the Tampa kinesiophobia scale (TKS), and the timed up and go (TUG) test. Results: Individuals who completed the TUG test within 0-1414 seconds exhibited higher BBS scores when compared to those who completed the test in more than 14 seconds (p=0.001), while the TKS scores were lower (p=0.001). Furthermore, it was observed that individuals with a history of falls had higher TKS (p=0.001) and TUG test (p=0.001) scores than those without a history of falls. Additionally, the number of chronic diseases showed a negative correlation with BBS scores (rs=-0.319, p=0.005), while exhibiting a positive correlation with TKS scores (rs=0.263, p=0.023) and TUG test (rs=0.316, p=0.006) durations. Conclusion: The findings of the study indicate that polypharmacy has a deleterious effect on balance and mobility in older adults. It is imperative to evaluate the suitability of the prescribed medications and to take into account the patient's current medications prior to the initiation of new medications.