Comparison of the static and dynamic balance of female and male methadone-maintained opioid dependents with healthy subjects

Addiction to opioids causes adverse physical and psychological effects on addicts. The drug abuse has adverse effects on the central nervous system. Meanwhile، a good balance is essential for human beings. Failure to keep balance divests the person from the natural life and may cause injury، collapse، and even death. Therefore، body balance may be negatively affected by drug dependency and the present research intentd to seek answer to this question. A total of 30 male drug and 30 female drug dependants participated in the research. Participants were selected purposefully from among volunteers. Also، 30 healthy women and 30 healthy men matched for age، height، weight، and BMI with the drug dependant samples were selected as control groups. Subjects’ dynamic balance was measured via Y-test. The statical balance was measured by standing on the unilateral forefoot balance test. Based on the findings of the present study and the results of MANOVA test، there was a significant difference between static (p=0/0001) and dynamic balance (p=0/0001) of the addicted males and females and those of the healthy participants. Based on the findings، there was a large effect size and a significant difference among the static and dynamic balance of the addicted males and females and those of the healthy participants. Finally، it was concluded that drug dependence affected negatively the balance of men and women.