Impact of carbamazepine on postural control in older adults: an exploratory study

Abstract

Objective

To explore whether carbamazepine impairs postural control in older people with epilepsy.

Design

Measures at 0hours, before ingesting carbamazepine (baseline), and 2, 4 and 6hours thereafter.

Setting

Rehabilitation laboratory.

Participants

Patients, aged 55 years or more, taking carbamazepine for epilepsy (n=4) and age-matched healthy volunteers (n=2).

Measures

(1) Heel-to-toe walk: walking speed, double support time and hand excursion. (2) Standing still, eyes open/closed: centre of mass excursion. (3) Sit-to-walk: duration of task and component phases.

Results

(1) Heel-to-toe. Three patients completed the task. At baseline, double support time was 150% and hand excursion was 65% of volunteer values. Walking speed did not differ. Patients showed no change over time. (2) Standing. At baseline, patients’ centre of mass excursion was 294% (eyes open) and 288% (eyes closed) of volunteer values. Patients showed no change over time. (3) Sit-to-walk. At baseline, no difference was observed in task duration between patients and volunteers. Patients took 42% longer for flexion momentum, 59% less time for unloading and 219% longer for stance phases. Over time, patients took longer for flexion momentum (208% of volunteer values at 6hours, 142% of volunteer values at baseline) and extension (190% of volunteer values at 2hours, 126% of volunteer values at baseline).

Conclusions

Older people with epilepsy taking carbamazepine could have postural control deficits. Further investigation is justified.

Citation

Impact of carbamazepine on postural control in older adults: an exploratory study
V.M. Pomeroy, A. Hiscock, H. Cock, R.C. Tallis
Physiotherapy - September 2008 (Vol. 94, Issue 3, Pages 230-235, DOI: 10.1016/j.physio.2008.03.004)