Postural control as assessed with virtual reality.
We studied the use of virtual reality technology as a stimulus in balance examinations. A pilot study was made using a small group of healthy subjects to investigate the effect of alcohol and virtual reality stimulus on the subjects' balance. The tests showed that blood alcohol concentration accounted for almost 50% of the increased lateral body sway velocity. The new stimulus technique based on virtual reality technology seems to be effective and flexible for postural investigations.
Tossavainen
T
T
Department of Computer and Information Sciences, University of Tampere, Tampere. tt@cs.uta.fi
Juhola
M
M
Aalto
H
H
Toppila
E
E
Pyykkö
I
I
Honkavaara
P
P
Laurikkala
J
J
Laakso
J
J
D000328:Adult; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D000431:Ethanol / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology; D005246:Feedback; D006257:Head / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009068:Movement / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D017711:Nonlinear Dynamics; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011187:Posture; D014584:User-Computer Interface; D014796:Visual Perception / Q000187:drug effects
D000431:Ethanol