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Psychomotor disadaptation syndrome: a scoping review

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Key summary points

AbstractSection Aim

We propose a scoping review on psychomotor disadaptation syndrome. We performed a search for epidemiological studies on this subject.

AbstractSection Findings

Psychomotor disadaptation syndrome has not yet been the focus of an epidemiological study and is poorly known, especially outside of France. Post-fall syndrome is the best known and most studied aspect of psychomotor disadaptation syndrome.

AbstractSection Message

Raising awareness among medical or paramedical geriatrics professionals about psychomotor disadaptation syndrome is necessary, especially because the number of frail older adults who exhibit this syndrome will continue to increase.

Abstract

Background

Clinical features of psychomotor disadaptation syndrome (PDS) include posture, gait, psycho-behavioral, and neurological disorders, which increase the risk of falling. Psychomotor regression syndrome, described in 1986, was renamed PDS following improvements in its pathophysiological understanding, including the preeminent role of subcortical-frontal lesions. Because frailty in aging contributes to the appearance of PDS, the geriatric professionals need to be aware of its existence.

Purpose

This article aims to provide a scoping review on PDS. Moreover, we searched for epidemiological studies and assessed whether or not all the aspects of PDS are recognized.

Methods

The studies were retrieved from three electronic databases (PubMed, Science Direct, and Google Scholar) using these terms: psychomotor disadaptation syndrome, psychomotor regression syndrome, frontal-sub-cortical dysfunction syndrome, backward disequilibrium, retropulsion, post-fall syndrome, reactional hypertonia, axial akinesia, and older adults.

Results

Out of 456 shortlisted articles, 45 met the inclusion criteria. Our results show that PDS is poorly known, especially outside of France, which had the largest number of published studies on this syndrome. Abroad, only three aspects have been described (post-fall syndrome, retropulsion, and fear of falling). Often, they are not recognized as belonging to a real syndrome, but rather an association of signs. Post-fall syndrome, found in 14 studies, is the best known and most studied aspect of PDS. There were no epidemiological studies.

Conclusion

With the increasing number of frail older adults, there will be an inevitable growth in the incidence of PDS. Raising awareness about PDS among medical and paramedical geriatrics professionals is essential.

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Data availability

The datasets reported in this review are publicly available.

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Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to Mrs. Suzanne Rankin, a native English speaker, for editing and proofreading this article.

Funding

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Pôle Personnes Âgées, Hospital of Champmaillot, Dijon Bourgogne University Hospital, Dijon, France

    Antonella Merendino, Thomas Renoncourt, Sofia Da Silva, Mélanie Dipanda, Fabrice Larosa & Patrick Manckoundia

  2. INSERM U1093 Cognition, Action et Plasticité Sensorimotrice (CAPS), University of Burgundy, Dijon, France

    France Mourey, Thomas Renoncourt & Patrick Manckoundia

  3. Service de Médecine Interne et Maladies Infectieuses, Hôpitaux du Pays du Mont Blanc, Sallanches, France

    Alain Putot

  4. Physiopathologie et Epidémiologie Cérébro-Cardiovasculaires (PEC2), University of Burgundy, Dijon, France

    Alain Putot

  5. Service de Médecine Interne Gériatrie, Pôle Personnes Âgées Hôpital de Champmaillot CHU, 2, rue Jules Violle, 21079, Dijon Cedex, France

    Patrick Manckoundia

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  1. Antonella Merendino
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Contributions

AM and PM performed article selection based on title and abstract against predefined inclusion criteria, and if an article was deemed potentially relevant, they assessed the full text on study eligibility. AM and PM wrote the manuscript. All authors made critical revisions and approved the final version of the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Patrick Manckoundia.

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Merendino, A., Mourey, F., Renoncourt, T. et al. Psychomotor disadaptation syndrome: a scoping review. Eur Geriatr Med (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s41999-025-01176-1

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