Ask the patient to stand with their feet together, not holding onto anything for support

• Once they feel comfortable ask the patient to close their eyes – if they cannot balance well with the eyes open do not have them close their eyes!
• An abnormal response (positive Romberg test) occurs if the patient loses their balance only when their eyes are closed. This is suggestive of a proprioceptive deficit (and they should have corresponding findings on the sensory exam, i.e. loss of joint position and vibration sense).
• Sensory Ataxia

vs. Trendelenburg Test