Underburg’s test is a cervical spine examination procedure that tests cerebellar dysfunction and vertebrobasilar insufficiency (VBI).
Patient should be awake and cooperative in the Underburg’s Test.
- Patient should be standing while the test is being performed.
- The patient flexes his shoulders at 90 degrees and stands with her eyes closed.
- The patient is instructed to march in place while extending and rotating the head.
- The examiner must be near the patient during the entire duration of the procedure in case the patient loses her balance.
Positive Underburg’s Test
There is positive Underburg’s Test when there is loss of balance, pronation of hands, dropping of arms, presyncope, vertigo and/or nausea. These signs could indicate VBI or cerebellar dysfunction.
This is an involved test and should not be performed with patients who are unable to keep their balance or with geriatric patients.