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Postural control in a simulated saturation dive to 240 msw.
Undersea Hyperb Med. 2007 Mar-Apr; 34(2):123-30.UH

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

There is evidence that increased ambient pressure causes an increase in postural sway. This article documents postural sway at pressures not previously studied and discusses possible mechanisms.

METHODS

Eight subjects participated in a dry chamber dive to 240 msw (2.5 MPa) saturation pressure. Two subjects were excluded due to unilateral caloric weakness before the dive. Postural sway was measured on a force platform. The path length described by the center of pressure while standing quietly for 60 seconds was used as test variable. Tests were repeated 38 times in four conditions: with eyes open or closed, while standing on bare platform or on a foam rubber mat.

RESULTS

Upon reaching 240 msw, one subject reported vertigo, disequilibrium and nausea, and in all subjects, mean postural sway increased 26% on bare platform with eyes open (p < 0.05) compared to predive values. There was no significant improvement in postural sway during the bottom phase, but a trend was seen toward improvement when the subjects were standing with eyes closed on foam rubber (p = 0.1). Postural sway returned to predive values during the decompression phase.

DISCUSSION

Postural imbalance during deep diving has been explained previously as HPNS possibly including a specific effect on the vestibulo-ocular reflex. Although vertigo and imbalance are known to be related to compression rate, this study shows that there remains a measurable increase in postural sway throughout the bottom phase at 240 msw, which seems to be related to absolute pressure.

Authors+Show Affiliations

Goplen FK
Dept. of Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, Haukeland University Hospital N-5021 Bergen, Norway.
Aasen T
No affiliation info available
Nordahl SH
No affiliation info available

MeSH

AdultCaloric TestsConfidence IntervalsDecompressionDivingDizzinessHigh Pressure Neurological SyndromeHumansMaleMiddle AgedPostural BalancePostureSensation DisordersTime FactorsVertigo

Pub Type(s)

Journal Article
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Language

eng

PubMed ID

17520863

Citation

Goplen, F K., et al. "Postural Control in a Simulated Saturation Dive to 240 Msw." Undersea & Hyperbaric Medicine : Journal of the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society, Inc, vol. 34, no. 2, 2007, pp. 123-30.
Goplen FK, Aasen T, Nordahl SH. Postural control in a simulated saturation dive to 240 msw. Undersea Hyperb Med. 2007;34(2):123-30.
Goplen, F. K., Aasen, T., & Nordahl, S. H. (2007). Postural control in a simulated saturation dive to 240 msw. Undersea & Hyperbaric Medicine : Journal of the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society, Inc, 34(2), 123-30.
Goplen FK, Aasen T, Nordahl SH. Postural Control in a Simulated Saturation Dive to 240 Msw. Undersea Hyperb Med. 2007 Mar-Apr;34(2):123-30. PubMed PMID: 17520863.
* Article titles in AMA citation format should be in sentence-case
TY - JOUR T1 - Postural control in a simulated saturation dive to 240 msw. AU - Goplen,F K, AU - Aasen,T, AU - Nordahl,S H G, PY - 2007/5/25/pubmed PY - 2007/6/19/medline PY - 2007/5/25/entrez SP - 123 EP - 30 JF - Undersea & hyperbaric medicine : journal of the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society, Inc JO - Undersea Hyperb Med VL - 34 IS - 2 N2 - INTRODUCTION: There is evidence that increased ambient pressure causes an increase in postural sway. This article documents postural sway at pressures not previously studied and discusses possible mechanisms. METHODS: Eight subjects participated in a dry chamber dive to 240 msw (2.5 MPa) saturation pressure. Two subjects were excluded due to unilateral caloric weakness before the dive. Postural sway was measured on a force platform. The path length described by the center of pressure while standing quietly for 60 seconds was used as test variable. Tests were repeated 38 times in four conditions: with eyes open or closed, while standing on bare platform or on a foam rubber mat. RESULTS: Upon reaching 240 msw, one subject reported vertigo, disequilibrium and nausea, and in all subjects, mean postural sway increased 26% on bare platform with eyes open (p < 0.05) compared to predive values. There was no significant improvement in postural sway during the bottom phase, but a trend was seen toward improvement when the subjects were standing with eyes closed on foam rubber (p = 0.1). Postural sway returned to predive values during the decompression phase. DISCUSSION: Postural imbalance during deep diving has been explained previously as HPNS possibly including a specific effect on the vestibulo-ocular reflex. Although vertigo and imbalance are known to be related to compression rate, this study shows that there remains a measurable increase in postural sway throughout the bottom phase at 240 msw, which seems to be related to absolute pressure. SN - 1066-2936 UR - https://www.unboundmedicine.com/medline/citation/17520863/Postural_control_in_a_simulated_saturation_dive_to_240_msw_ L2 - https://medlineplus.gov/guidetogoodposture.html DB - PRIME DP - Unbound Medicine ER -