By admin Media Health Group helps to convert medical complexities into proper information. With the use of our accessible articles, users can get in touch with tips to comprehend tests like the Romberg test and have a proper conversation with their doctor.
The Romberg test shouldn’t deceive you with how simple and basic it is. It was created in the 19th century and is still a big deal in the field of present neurology findings. Its most helpful function is creating a disparity between sensory ataxia and other issues related to balance. All patients need to do is just stand still and close their eyes to help health workers find out more about vestibular function, proprioception, and neurological issues.
Follow us as we explore 7 revealing facts about the Romberg test in this article.
Proprioception is the capability of a human body to get a feel of motion and location without seeing it. The Romberg test helps to take out visual prompts by simply asking a patient to stand upright with their eyes closed and their feet together, which then shows the status of peripheral nerves and dorsal column of your spinal cord. If the patient staggers or falls down with their eyes closed but stands still with their eyes open, that shows a positive Romberg test which means that there is an issue with their proprioception.
- Negative Romberg includes a little swagger and steady position even with their eyes closed and this indicates a normal proprioception.
- Positive Romberg includes falling even with their eyes closed. This shows that there is a sensory ataxia, which usually means that there is a defect in the dorsal column, spinal cord problems, or peripheral neuropathy.
People that have cerebellar ataxia can’t usually stand even with their eyes open so then the Romberg test is particularly used to differentiate cerebellar from sensory ataxia.
The Romberg test should be used only when people complain about:
- Weakness especially in posture
- Imbalance, dizziness, or falling
- Some neurological issues like MS, peripheral neuropathy, syphilis, or Vitamin deficiency
- Numb and tingling sensation in legs
The Romberg test is generally safe, swift, and doesn’t need any special tool which makes it very good for neurological exams.
There might be different hidden reasons why a Romberg test might show positive which includes:
- Spinal cord issues
- Vitamin B12 deficiency which leads to spinal cord issues
- Multiple sclerosis that is from dorsal column wounds
- Peripheral sensory neuropathy because of chemotherapy, diabetes, or autoimmune conditions like lupus
- Sjogren’s syndrome
- Hereditary ataxias like Friedreich’s ataxia
- Vestibular defects that weren’t checked
- Take an upright stance with your feet together, both hands at each side, and your eyes wide open for a duration of 30 seconds.
- While in the initial position, shut your eyes for 20 to 30 seconds.
- Notice if you stagger, or fall. The clinician should be close by to catch you in case you fall.
- You shouldn’t base a positive outcome only on a stagger.
- Sharpened Romberg which involves standing heel to toe to make it more difficult
- Arms straight forward are used to check motion.
A positive Romberg is just a sign and not a full on check up. Your examiner needs to get more of the following:
- To locate dorsal column wounds, brain or spine MRI is needed
- More neurological testing like gait or coordination tests
- Studies of nerve conduction
- Vestibular or ocular examinations if you think that there are issues with the inner ear
The Romberg test helps to guide patients on the next step to take. It lets patients know if it is related to sensory issues or vestibular issues.
A lot of people don’t pass the test even with no neurological issues due to:
- Vestibular or inner ear issues
- Aging or tiredness
- Loss of balance because of drinking or drugs
- Fright of falling or anxiety
It is important to take the clinical route because using the Romberg test might give some untrue positive test.
No, not really. If your dorsal columns have issues, MS can give a positive outcome but a lot of conditions such as neuropathy, or B12 deficiency can also be causative factors. It is important to have clinical backing.
Yes, it can. In cerebellar ataxia, people get a negative result even with their eyes open. Romberg is mainly for proprioception test and not for cerebellar ataxia.
It is normally between 20 to 30 seconds with your eyes wide open and closed after. The test comes to an end only when you stagger or fall too early.
If you try it alone at home, it can be unsafe especially when you fall. You need to be closely monitored during the test to avoid accidents.
It is normal to lightly stagger. A positive result is made when there is an imbalance, or need for support instead of a mild sway.
It might seem very easy but the Romberg test is still a very strong method in neurology. It is very important in testing for neuropathy, vitamin deficiency, or MS right from the 19th century.
Romberg shouldn’t be seen as just a test, it is an opening into what is concealed in your body and also to remind people that it isn’t just about physical posture, it is much more.