Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Assessment Of The Influence Of Caffeine On Static Balance In Healthy Adults

PURPOSE: Balance is important for daily human function and is one common diagnostic for neurological health and injury, such as concussion. Caffeine has been shown to affect human function and possibly balance at high doses in some individuals. The purpose of this research is to investigate the effects of a moderate caffeine dose (200 mg) on a commonly-used, diagnostic static balance protocol in healthy adults. METHODS: The college institutional review board approved this research and 71 adults (33 men, 38 women; average age of 28.87 ± 12.61 years) completed the Stability Evaluation Test (SET) and modified Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction and Balance (mCTSIB) using the Neurocom Balance Master under caffeine (200 mg) and placebo conditions in a repeated-measures, placebo-controlled, double-blind experimental design. RESULTS: According to repeated measures ANOVA, there were no significant postural sway velocity (balance) main effects by caffeine condition for the SET (F = 3.83, P = 0.055) or mCTSIB (F = 0.37, P = 0.545). We found significantly higher systolic blood pressure in the caffeine condition (126.5 vs. 123.2 mmHG, P = 0.020) and postural sway main effects on by surface (F = 59.15, P < .001; foam = 3.6 deg/s vs. firm = 1.8 deg/s), stance (F = 35.75, P < .001; double-leg = 1.38 deg/s vs. single leg = 3.86 deg/s vs. tandem = 2.90 deg/s) and eye (F = 113.67, P < .001; closed = 0.75 deg/s vs. open = 0.53 deg/s) conditions. We also noted no significant ANOVA between participants’ differences for sex, but a significant effect by age (F = 14.071, P < 0.001; under 35 = 2.07 deg/s vs. over 35 years old = 3.35 deg/s) was noted. CONCLUSIONS: Caffeine (200 mg) does not have significant influence on static balance as measured by the SET and mCTSIB in healthy adults. There is a trend towards a negative caffeine effect on the more challenging SET balance conditions. A larger sample or dynamic balance assessments may be needed to further investigate this trend. Surface, stance, vision and age all significantly influence static postural sway velocity. The results of this investigation may inform practitioners of the importance of controlling caffeine intake prior to balance assessment and individuals as to the effects of caffeine on balance for daily activities.