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