Study on the usefulness of precise and simple dynamic balance tests for the evaluation of recovery from intravenous sedation with midazolam and propofol.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Dynamic balance involving movement of the centre of gravity is important for the evaluation of street fitness after sedation. The purpose of this study was to compare the recovery of dynamic balance after intravenous sedation with propofol or midazolam, and to investigate the usefulness of simple dynamic balance tests in evaluating the recovery. METHODS Fourteen young male volunteers underwent intravenous sedation with propofol and midazolam for 1 h each at an interval of more than 1 week. Computerized dynamic posturography using a multi-axial tilting platform, the 10-m maximum-speed walking test and the timed 'up & go' test (subjects stand up from a chair, walk 5 m and back with maximum speed and sit down again) were performed before and after sedation. The increase in each variable of the tests described above represents a reduction of function. RESULTS The score of the computerized dynamic posturography was significantly lower in propofol sedation than that in midazolam sedation until 40 min after the end of sedation (P = 0.006). The scores of maximum-speed walking test and timed 'up & go' test were significantly lower in propofol sedation than those in midazolam sedation till 60 min after the end of sedation, respectively (P = 0.035 and 0.042). The timed 'up & go' and maximum-speed walking tests were well and significantly correlated with computerized dynamic posturography in midazolam sedation (timed 'up & go' test vs. computerized dynamic posturography: r = 0.66, P < 0.01; and maximum-speed walking test vs. computerized dynamic posturography: r = 0.53, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION The timed 'up & go' and maximum-speed walking tests are useful simple dynamic balance tests well correlated with precise computerized dynamic posturography for the evaluation of the recovery of dynamic balance from midazolam sedation in younger adults.