1. Lab 33: Equilibrium

2. Part A: On Your Own

3. Part B: Tests of Equilibrium
Objective: to demonstrate the importance of vision in the maintenance of equilibrium

4. 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

5. 2. Romberg Test

6. 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

7. Part B: Tests of Equilibrium
Position subject so one side is toward the chalkboard
Repeat test: with eyes open
Repeat with eyes closed

8. 3. Barany Test

9. 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

10. 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