Unterberger test explained

Unterberger test
Purpose:	assess vestibular pathology
Synonyms:	Unterberger's test and Unterberger's stepping test

The Unterberger test, also Unterberger's test and Unterberger's stepping test, is a test used in otolaryngology to help assess whether a patient has a vestibular pathology.^[1] It is not useful for detecting central (brain) disorders of balance.^[2]

Technique

The patient is asked to walk in place with their eyes closed.

Interpretation

If the patient rotates to one side they may have a labyrinthine lesion on that side, but this test should not be used to diagnose lesions without the support of other tests.

Notes and References

1. Issing. P. .. M. .. The homeopathic preparation Vertigoheel versus Ginkgo biloba in the treatment of vertigo in an elderly population: a double-blinded, randomized, controlled clinical trial. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. 11. 1. 155–160. 2005. 15750375. 10.1089/acm.2005.11.155. Klein. Weiser.
2. Kuipers-Upmeijer . J . Oosterhuis . HJ . Unterberger's test not useful in testing of vesitibular function . Nederlands Tijdschrift voor Geneeskunde . 138 . 3 . 136–9 . 1994 . 8295639 .