Romberg's test

This article is about the neurological examination method. For the method of numerical integration, see Romberg's method.
Romberg's test
Spinal cord tracts. Blue are afferents; red are efferents
SynonymsRomberg maneuver
Purposeexam of neurological function for balance
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Romberg's test, Romberg's sign, or the Romberg maneuver is a test used in an exam of neurological function for balance.

The exam is based on the premise that a person requires at least two of the three following senses to maintain balance while standing:

  • proprioception (the ability to know one's body position in space)
  • vestibular function (the ability to know one's head position in space)
  • vision (which can be used to monitor and adjust for changes in body position).

A patient who has a problem with proprioception can still maintain balance by using vestibular function and vision. In the Romberg test, the standing patient is asked to close their eyes. An increased loss of balance is interpreted as a positive Romberg's test.

The Romberg test is a test of the body's sense of positioning (proprioception), which requires healthy functioning of the dorsal columns of the spinal cord.[1]

The Romberg test is used to investigate the cause of loss of motor coordination (ataxia). A positive Romberg test suggests that the ataxia is sensory in nature, that is, depending on loss of proprioception. If a patient is ataxic and Romberg's test is not positive, it suggests that ataxia is cerebellar in nature, that is, depending on localized cerebellar dysfunction instead.

It is used as an indicator for possible alcohol or drug impaired driving and neurological decompression sickness.[2][3] When used to test impaired driving, the test is performed with the subject estimating 30 seconds in their head. This is used to gauge the subject's internal clock and can be an indicator of stimulant or depressant use.

  1. ^ Khasnis A, Gokula RM (1 April 2003). "Romberg's test". Journal of Postgraduate Medicine. 49 (2): 169–72. PMID 12867698.
  2. ^ Bridge, Carl J (1972). Alcoholism and Driving. Charles C Thomas. ISBN 0-398-02243-7.
  3. ^ Lee CT (September 1998). "Sharpening the Sharpened Romberg". SPUMS Journal. 28 (3): 125–32. PMID 11542272. Archived from the original on September 20, 2008.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)