Dizziness estimates during chemotherapy varied by assessment method in older adults
Studies using patient reports produced higher dizziness estimates than those using assessor reports, but the review rated the evidence as very uncertain.
Based on the published abstract. The full paper may contain additional methods, results and limitations.
The 30-second takeaway
Dizziness was reported among older adults receiving chemotherapy, with prevalence estimates differing substantially by assessment method. Estimates from patient questionnaires were higher than those from assessor reports. The review could not estimate how often new cases developed, and it found no statistically clear differences between chemotherapy regimens; that does not establish equal symptom rates across treatments.
Most studies had high risk of bias, and evidence certainty for dizziness was very low. Balance findings had low certainty and came from a single study; neither estimate should be treated as precise.
What researchers found
Pooled dizziness prevalence
Among older adults receiving chemotherapy; no untreated comparator or common assessment window was reported. The confidence interval describes uncertainty in the pooled percentage.
Prevalence does not establish cause
This abstract-based summary describes dizziness prevalence in the included samples. The pooled result does not show that chemotherapy caused every case, since an untreated comparison was not reported for this question.
Balance evidence was more limited
Balance impairment was also examined, but the available estimate rested on a much narrower evidence base. The authors emphasized structured baseline testing and patient-reported measures to improve how future studies capture these symptoms.
The original publication
Dizziness and impaired postural balance in older patients receiving chemotherapy treatment: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Piper KS, Puts M, Lund C et al.
J Geriatr Oncol · 2026
- PubMed ID
- 41352213
- Record checked
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