LONG-TERM EFFECTS OF ANTIDEPRESSANTS ON BALANCE EQUILIBRIUM, AND POSTURAL REFLEXES

To assess the long-term effects of antidepressant medication on balanc e, equilibrium, and postural reflexes, we studied 30 patients, ages 20 -76 years, who had a diagnosis of depressive disorder (as defined by D SM-III-R criteria) and had been treated with tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) for greater than or equal to 1 year. They were assessed by a Balance Master Syste m. The assessment included three tasks: static balance, rhythmic weigh t shift, and limits of stability. When compared with 30 nonhospitalize d healthy controls (of comparable age and the same sex), patients who took TCAs showed impaired balance function in all main indices. The re sults suggest that the impairment of balance function includes motor c oordination, fine-motor control, postural reflexes, maintaining equili brium, and reaction time. No obvious impairment of balance function wa s observed in patients who took SSRIs.