title: Static posturography in addicted to illicit drugs and alcohol.
abstract: The use of illicit drugs and alcohol can affect body balance.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate balance control with static posturography in individuals addicted to illicit drugs, with or without alcohol abuse.
  
  
  METHODS
  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).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  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.
authors.affiliation: 　Speech and Hearing Therapy, Federal University of São Paulo-Paulista School of Medicine. 　daffmoreira@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Daniela Affonso
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Moreira
authors.forename: Maurício Malavasi
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Ganança
authors.forename: Heloisa Helena
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Caovilla
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D000431:Ethanol / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D013287:Illicit Drugs / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology*
chemical_list: D013287:Illicit Drugs; D000431:Ethanol