USE OF A COMPUTERIZED POSTURAL SWAY MEASUREMENT SYSTEM FOR ASSESSING WORKERS EXPOSED TO MANGANESE

1. Computerized postural sway measurement systems have been used recently in human physiology and pharmacology for determining postural stability, but their applicability for the assessment of the effects of exposure to neurotoxic agents is lacking. 2. We have examined the feasibility of using a computerized postural sway measurement system to assess the postural sway parameters of manganese exposed workers compared with a control group. 3. Sway parameter data were collected using a kislter multicomponent measuring platform (Type 9281B) connected to vicon motion analysis system for 13 exposed and 16 control subjects. 4. Significant differences in several of the sway parameters (Px, Py—mean distance (mm), from the centre of the platform along the X‐axis [anterior‐posterior movement] and Y‐axis [lateral movement], respectively) between the exposed and control groups were observed even after adjustment for possible confounders. Computerized postural sway measurement system may be a useful method of assessing workers exposed to neurotoxic agents affecting posture.