Effect of altitude and acetazolamide on postural control in healthy lowlanders 40 years of age or older. Randomized, placebo-controlled trial.

ABSTRACT: Background: Hypoxia and old age impair postural control and may therefore enhance the risk of accidents. We investigated whether acetazolamide, the recommended drug for prevention of acute mountain sickness, may prevent altitude-induced deterioration of postural control in older persons. Methods: In this parallel-design trial, 95 healthy volunteers, 40 years of age or older, living <1,000 m, were randomized to preventive therapy with acetazolamide (375 mg/d) or placebo starting 24 h before and during a 2-day sojourn at 3,100 m. Instability of postural control was quantified by a balance platform with the center of pressure path length (COPL) as primary outcome while pulse oximetry (SpO₂) was monitored. Effects of altitude and treatment on COPL were evaluated by ord

SUBMITTER: Mutschler T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10797772 | biostudies-literature | 2023

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature