Neurological Examination Procedures

Romberg Test

• Purpose: Primarily tests position sense.
• Procedure:
  1. Ask the patient to stand with feet together.
     • Normal Result: Able to maintain posture with eyes open (intact cerebellar function).
  2. Have the patient close their eyes and stand in the same position for 20-30 seconds.
     • Normal Result: Steady posture with minimal swaying (intact position sense).
     • Positive Romberg Test: Able to maintain posture with eyes open but not with eyes closed.

Pronator Drift

• Procedure:
  1. Ask the patient to hold arms forward and parallel with palms up and close their eyes for 20-30 seconds.
     • Normal Result: Maintains position without drifting.
     • Abnormal Result: Downward drifting of one arm and pronation of the forearm (suggests mild hemiparesis).
  2. With arms up and eyes closed, tap the patient's arms briskly downward.
     • Normal Result: Arms return smoothly to the horizontal position.