Caffeine Enhances the Balance System and Postural Balance in Short Time in Healthy Individuals

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to explore the effects of caffeine on balance function by determining the extent to which caffeine consumption affects postural sway and balance control in healthy individuals. Methods: Thirty healthy participants aged 20–35 years without any vestibular disorder were enrolled in this study. The participants were randomly divided into two groups, and those in Group 1 were given two cups of regular coffee (300–350 mg) while those in Group 2 were given two cups of decaffeinated coffee. The sensory organization test, the head shake sensory organization test, the limits of stability test, and the adaptation test were performed on all participants before and after coffee intake using computerized dynamic posturography. Results: The sensory organization test composite scores (p=0.001) and the head shake condition 5 (C5) equilibrium scores (p=0.001) of the participants in Group 1 showed a statistically significant increase after coffee intake while the composite scores (p=0.001) and the head shake condition (C5) equilibrium scores (p=0.001) of those in Group 2 showed a statistically significant decrease. There was a statistically significant difference between the two groups in the equilibrium scores in the pitch plane (p=0.001), the yaw plane (p=0.001), and the roll plane (p=0.001) of C5 after coffee intake. Conclusion: Consumption of an appropriate dose of caffeine may enhance body position, postural stability, and voluntary motor control ability. The combined use of the sensory organization test, the head shake sensory organization test, the adaptation test, and the limits of stability test in evaluating the balance mechanism in individuals with normal vestibular findings provides detailed information about postural sway.

Potential efficacy of caffeine ingestion on balance and mobility in patients with multiple sclerosis: Preliminary evidence from a single-arm pilot clinical trial

“…Although, according to our knowledge, there has not yet been a study evaluating caffeine effects on the balance and ambulatory performance of PwMS, previous studies have revealed caffeine’s potential benefits on balance and some aspects of gait performance in populations other than PwMS [ 28 – 30 , 62 , 63 ]. Notably, the results of these studies considerably vary by the study population’s age and sex.…”

“…Notably, the results of these studies considerably vary by the study population’s age and sex. A recent randomized clinical trial in 30 young adults (20–35 years, female: 50%) indicated that caffeine ingestion (300–350 mg) resulted in improvements in postural balance and motor control [ 28 ]. Another study on 25 healthy middle-aged women (50–60 years) reported a positive effect of caffeine ingestion (100 mg) on postural balance during different situations (i.e., with closed eyes on the foam surface) [ 29 ].…”

“…Despite supportive evidence [ 18 – 20 , 23 , 24 , 28 – 30 ], to our knowledge, the potential effect of caffeine on balance and mobility in PwMS has not yet been studied. In this pilot single-arm phase II clinical trial we evaluated the potential effectiveness of caffeine ingestion on balance and mobility (i.e., static and dynamic balance, functional mobility, and patient’s reported ambulatory disability) among PwMS.…”

“…Studies have shown caffeine’s potential benefits on various neurological disorders, including seizure, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, stroke, and MS [ 18 – 25 ], possibly by reducing neuroinflammation and oxidative stress and increasing neurogenesis [ 26 , 27 ]. Specifically, research has highlighted the positive effects of caffeine on the ambulatory performance of non-MS populations [ 28 – 30 ], as well as on selected aspects of MS, including attention and disease progression [ 18 – 24 ]. Aligned with caffeine’s impact on the central nervous system, skeletal muscles [ 31 ], the ambulatory performance of non-MS populations [ 28 – 30 ], and specific aspects of MS [ 18 – 20 , 23 , 24 ], potentially favorable effects on balance and mobility in PwMS could also be anticipated.…”

“…Specifically, research has highlighted the positive effects of caffeine on the ambulatory performance of non-MS populations [ 28 – 30 ], as well as on selected aspects of MS, including attention and disease progression [ 18 – 24 ]. Aligned with caffeine’s impact on the central nervous system, skeletal muscles [ 31 ], the ambulatory performance of non-MS populations [ 28 – 30 ], and specific aspects of MS [ 18 – 20 , 23 , 24 ], potentially favorable effects on balance and mobility in PwMS could also be anticipated. Consequently, we hypothesized that caffeine might have the potential to improve balance and mobility impairments as debilitating aspects of MS.…”