Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 17, 2026

Computerized Dynamic Posturography for Postural Control Assessment in Patients with Intermittent Claudication
Published on: December 11, 2013
Static posturography in addicted to illicit drugs and alcohol
Daniela Affonso Moreira1, Maurício Malavasi Ganança, Heloisa Helena Caovilla
1Speech and Hearing Therapy, Federal University of São Paulo-Paulista School of Medicine. daffmoreira@hotmail.com
Unlabelled:
The use of illicit drugs and alcohol can affect body balance.
Aim:
To evaluate balance control with static posturography in individuals addicted to illicit drugs, with or without alcohol abuse.
Study Design:
Case-control, prospective.
Methods:
47 users of illicit drugs, with or without alcohol abuse, and a homogeneous control group consisting of 47 healthy individuals were submitted to a neurotological evaluation including Balance Rehabilitation Unit posturography.
Results:
The stability threshold mean values were significantly lower (p < 0.0001) in users of illicit drugs, with or without alcohol abuse when compared to the control group; the mean values for sway velocity and ellipse area in all evaluated conditions were significantly higher (p <0.05) in the experimental group when compared to the control group, except for the ellipse area in static force surface and opened eyes (p = 0.168).
Conclusion:
The balance control of individuals addicted to illicit drugs with or without alcohol abuse could present stability threshold, sway velocity and ellipse area abnormalities in static posturography.
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