Habilidades cognitivas envolvidas na avaliação e reabilitação vestibular

Abstract

Introduction: The literature reports an association between imbalance and cognitive impairment. However, it is not yet clear which cognitive skills are involved with the vestibular system. Objective:To evaluate which cognitive skills are involved in vestibular assessment and rehabilitation in young and older adults. Research strategy: This is an integrative review of the literature, conducted between July and October 2020. The articles were selected through search in the main health databases – MEDLINE via PubMed, LILACS via Regional Portal of VHL, Cochrane, Scopus, Web of Science, and CINAHL, accessed via Portal CAPES, using the following descriptors “Cognition” OR “Cognitive Dysfunction” AND “Vestibular Function Tests” AND “Vertigo” AND “Vestibular Rehabilitation”, and their equivalent terms in Portuguese and Spanish. Selection criteria: Articles published until 2020, investigating cognition with vestibular assessment or traditional and/or technology rehabilitation in subjects aged 18 years or older were included. Articles not available in full text or that used other types of treatment were excluded. Results: 16 out of the 6,965 articles initially retrieved met the inclusion criteria and were included in this review; 12 of them are cross-sectional, and four longitudinal studies. Conclusion: There was a relationship between uni- and bilateral vestibular dysfunction and working memory, executive functions, spatial navigation, and attention. The studies that conducted vestibular rehabilitation found improved overall cognitive skills, visuospatial capacity, attention, executive functions, spatial working memory, increased vestibulo-ocular reflex, postural control gains, and diminished psychological suffering.