Evaluation of Vestibulo-spinal Reflex Using Modified Romberg Test

Park, Hyun Min; Kim, Yun Hwan; Park, Geun Hwan; Rhee, Chung Ku; Choi, Jeung Eun

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
The Romberg test is a simple, inexpensive modality to test the vestibulo-spinal reflex. However, it is not a quantitative measure and has low sensitivity and specificity. We investigated the effectiveness of the modified Romberg test in evaluating equilibrium ability in dizzy patients by comparing it with the computerized dynamic posturography.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The study was conducted on 63 patients with various degrees of dizziness. Computerized dynamic posturography(CDP) was performed and equilibrium ability was measured with the modified Romberg test. Modifications were made in two ways : heel-to-toe standing(test 1) and standing on sponge(test 2).
RESULTS
Correlation coefficients between the modified Romberg test and the vestibular dysfunction score of CDP were 0.62 and 0.52, respectively, and they were statistically significant(P<0.01). The Receiver Operating Characteristics(ROC) curve showed that the area index of tests 1 and 2 were 0.86 and 0.78, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS
The modified Romberg tests showed fairly good correlation with the vestibular dysfunction score of CDP. Further modifications are required to use the modified Romberg test as an accurate diagnostic tool in the evaluation of dizzy patients.