Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40019924›Full record

SynthesisPloS one2025

Effects of cochlear implantation on gait performance in adults with hearing impairment: A systematic review.

Bahaa Rafoul, Roy Tzemah-Shahar, Anat V Lubetzky, Mauricio Cohen-Vaizer, Hanin Karawani, Maayan Agmon

Abstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in PloS one, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Bahaa RafoulFaculty of Social Welfare and Health Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel.
Roy Tzemah-ShaharFaculty of Social Welfare and Health Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel.
Anat V LubetzkyDepartment of Physical Therapy, Steinhardt School of Culture, Education and Human Development, New York University, New York, NY, United States of America.
Mauricio Cohen-VaizerRambam Health Care Campus, Haifa, Israel.
Hanin KarawaniFaculty of Social Welfare and Health Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel.ORCID 0000-0003-1346-8502
Maayan AgmonFaculty of Social Welfare and Health Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundPrevious systematic reviews evaluated the effect of hearing interventions on static and dynamic stability and found several positive effects of hearing interventions. Despite numerous reviews on hearing interventions and balance, the impact of cochlear implantation on gait and fall risk remains unclear.

objectiveThis systematic review examines the effects of cochlear implantation on gait performance in adults with hearing loss.

methodsA comprehensive literature search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus, using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The PEDro scale assessed the methodological quality, risk of bias, and study design of included articles.

resultsSeven studies met the inclusion criteria. Five focused solely on cochlear implantation, while two included both cochlear implants (CIs) and hearing aids. Methodological inconsistencies were evident in measurement approaches and follow-up durations, leading to variable outcomes. Short-term follow-up post-implantation showed no improvement or even worsened gait outcomes. However, a longer follow-up of three months post-implantation indicated partial improvements in specific gait measures like Tandem Walk speed, though not in comfortable walking speed. Cross-sectional studies comparing on-off CI conditions revealed no significant differences in gait outcomes.

conclusionsImprovements in gait due to cochlear implantation require at least three months to manifest. The variability in study methodologies complicates understanding the full impact of cochlear implantation on gait. Given that only seven, methodologically inconsistent articles were found, it is necessary to conduct additional research to understand the relationship between hearing, gait and fall risk and to specifically include longer post-CI monitoring periods.

Indexed as

Cochlear ImplantationGaitHearing LossAdultCochlear ImplantsHumans

Identifiers

PMID40019924
PMCPMC11870346

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.