COMPUTERIZED DYNAMIC POSTUROGRAPHY - A NEW METHOD FOR THE EVALUATION OF POSTURAL STABILITY FOLLOWING ANESTHESIA

Dynamic posturography, a new method to study postural stability in humans, was performed in 11 healthy volunteers before administration of midazolam 0.1 mg/kg body weight i.v., and repeated subsequently at 45, 105 and 165 min. Results indicate that balance was affected significantly (P < 0.008) up to 45 min after i.v. midazolam and did not return to control values until 105 min. The quantified version of the Romberg test performed with the eyes open or closed using the Equitest did not appear to be sensitive in detecting residual effects of midazolam on balance. We conclude that healthy, young persons should not be considered to have regained postural stability for up to 105 min after sedation with midazolam. Dynamic posturography appears to be a useful test in the objective assessment of balance disturbances.