Unilateral trigeminal anaesthesia modifies postural control in human subjects

The influence of trigeminal afferences on postural stabilization was tested. Twenty-seven subjects were recruited to evaluate the impact of trigeminal disturbance on orthostatic postural control before and after unilateral truncular anaesthesia of the mandibular nerve. Balance control quality was assessed using static posturography by means of statokinesigrams and lateral deviation. Postural control monitored by measuring the area covered by the centre of foot pressure decreases after anaesthesia in the eyes open condition. Postural deviation in the eyes closed condition was observed after anaesthesia in the controlateral side of anaesthesia. These data document the effects of trigeminal afferences on postural stabilization. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.