A recent study highlights a concerning trend among older adults discharged from hospitals with a high number of medications, revealing they may face challenges in regaining their independence during rehabilitation.

Published in BMC Geriatrics on December 17, the research conducted in Japan examines the impact of polypharmacy—defined as the regular intake of six or more medications—on recovery in a rehabilitation hospital setting.

This retrospective observational study analyzed data from 1,903 patients aged 65 and above who received rehabilitation care at a Japanese hospital between April 2017 and March 2024, according to a press release.

Participants in the study had one of three primary conditions: cerebrovascular disease, which involves compromised blood flow in the brain; motor disorders, affecting movement and muscle control; or disuse syndrome, characterized by muscle weakness and physical decline due to inactivity.

Among the patients, 62.1% were found to be taking six or more medications at the time of hospital discharge, and a significant portion of these individuals—over 76%—were aged 80 or older.

Those taking multiple medications were also more likely to be taking benzodiazepine receptor agonists (taken for anxiety or insomnia), laxatives and psychotropic medications (mainly used for depression, anxiety, psychosis and other mood disorders).

The researchers determined that those with polypharmacy who had cerebrovascular disease and disuse syndrome scored significantly lower in the functional independence measure (FIM), which assesses how independently a person can perform everyday activities, especially after illness, injury or hospitalization.

Those in the motor disorder group didn’t show any link between polypharmacy and FIM.

The negative effects were stronger among adults over 80 and those recovering from stroke-related conditions or general weakness due to inactivity.

Based on these findings, the researchers suggest that reviewing and reducing unnecessary medications could help improve recovery for those undergoing rehabilitation.

Dr. Marc Siegel, Fox News senior medical analyst, refers to polypharmacy with seniors as a “risky proposition.”

“Even though each medication may have a purpose, often important, we must keep in mind that the ability to tolerate various medications and metabolize them efficiently diminishes as you get older,” he told Fox News Digital.

“For example, a med that sedates you or even has the potential to disorient you may be more likely to do so as you become elderly.”

Drug interactions also tend to increase as patients grow older, Siegel added. 

“This must all be monitored carefully by your physician, and, sometimes, less is more,” he said.

The study did have some limitations, the researchers acknowledged.

Due to its retrospective and observational design, it does not prove that the medications caused the outcome.

The researchers also lacked data on specific doses of the medications and the intensity of the rehabilitation, they noted.

Also, the study was conducted at just a single hospital, so the results may not apply to more general populations.

Future research is needed to determine which specific medications most affect recovery and to explore the best approaches for reducing prescriptions.