Lab 33: Equilibrium

Part A: On Your Own

Part B: Tests of Equilibrium

• Objective: to demonstrate the importance of vision in the maintenance of equilibrium

Part B: Tests of Equilibrium• 1. Vision and Equilibrium• Have a subject stand up on one foot for

1 minute with his/her eyes open• Observe the subjects degree of

unsteadiness• Repeat: BUT THIS TIME, the subject’s

eyes are CLOSED– Be prepared to keep them from falling

2. Romberg Test

Romberg Test• Position the subject close to the whiteboard with

their back toward the board• Place a bright light in front of the subject so that a

shadow of the body is cast on the board• Have the subject stand with feet close together and

eyes staring straight ahead for 3 minutes• Make marks on the chalkboard along the edge of the

shadow of the subject’s shoulders to indicate the range of side-to-side swaying

• Measure the maximum sway in cm• Record Results• Repeat the procedure with the subject’s eyes closed

Part B: Tests of Equilibrium• Position subject so one side is toward the

chalkboard• Repeat test: with eyes open • Repeat with eyes closed

3. Barany Test

Barany Test• Have the subject sit on a swivel chair with his/her eyes

closed, head tilted forward about 30°, and the hands gripped firmly to the seat

• Position 3-4 people around the chair for safety• Be prepared to prevent the subject/chair from tipping

over• Rotate the hair ten rotations within 20 seconds• Abruptly stop the movement of the chair• Have the subject open his/her eyes and note the

nature of the eye movements and their direction• Also note how long it takes for the eyes to stop moving • Record observations

• Wait several minutes, then repeat the procedure with the subjects head tilted at a 90° onto one shoulder

• After another rest period, repeat the procedure with the subject’s head bent forward so that the chin is resting on the chest