Adherence to treatment recommendations in older adults with vertigo, dizziness, and balance disorders: the MobilE-TRA 2 cohort study.

BACKGROUND

Specific exercises and lifestyle-related recommendations are used to manage vertigo, dizziness, and balance disorders (VDB), but evidence on adherence and its determinants in older adults is limited. This study examined adherence changes and associations with condition-related and patient-related factors from 3 to 12 months after therapeutic recommendations.

METHODS

We used data from the MobilE-TRA 2 prospective cohort of adults aged ≥60 years treated for VDB at a tertiary referral centre in Germany. The participants were assessed at baseline and followed up after 3 and 12 months. Self-reported adherence was measured using a five-point Likert scale and dichotomised at predefined cut-offs. Perceived dizziness-related handicap was assessed using the Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI). Longitudinal associations were analysed using logistic generalised linear mixed-effects models with random intercepts.

RESULTS

Overall, 337 participants were included (53% women; mean age 71 years). In adjusted analyses, adherence to specific exercises was lower at 12 than at 3 months (odds ratio (OR) 0.28; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.12-0.67). Higher baseline DHI scores were significantly associated with higher adherence to specific exercises (OR 1.03; 95% CI 1.00-1.06), but not with lifestyle-related recommendations (OR 1.00; 95% CI 0.98-1.02). Male gender was associated with lower adherence to lifestyle-related recommendations (OR 0.37; 95% CI 0.16-0.88), while higher self-efficacy was associated with higher adherence (OR 1.65; 95%CI 1.02-2.66).

CONCLUSIONS

Adherence differed by recommendation type, participant characteristics and over time in older adults with VDB. These findings may inform strategies to support adherence in VDB beyond initial follow-up.