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Environmental factors that affect the Fukuda stepping test in normal participants

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  30 March 2015

A Munnings ,
B Chisnall ,
S Oji ,
M Whittaker  and
R Kanegaonkar
A Munnings
Affiliation:
Guy's, King's and St Thomas' School of Medicine, London, UK
B Chisnall
Affiliation:
Guy's, King's and St Thomas' School of Medicine, London, UK
S Oji
Affiliation:
Guy's, King's and St Thomas' School of Medicine, London, UK
M Whittaker*
Affiliation:
ENT Department, Medway NHS Foundation Trust, Kent, UK
R Kanegaonkar
Affiliation:
ENT Department, Medway NHS Foundation Trust, Kent, UK Department of Health, Wellbeing and Family, Canterbury Christ Church University, UK
*
Address for correspondence: Mr M Whittaker, First floor flat, 3 Eaton Place, Brighton BN2 1EH, UK E-mail: [email protected]
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Abstract

Background:

The Fukuda stepping test is commonly used to assess peripheral vestibular function. It has, however, been suggested that its maximal sensitivity and specificity are 70 per cent and 50 per cent, respectively. This study was undertaken to evaluate environmental factors that may influence the reliability of this assessment and hence to ‘sharpen’ its use in a clinical setting.

Methods:

Forty-four participants aged between 20 and 43 years were asked to perform the Fukuda stepping test in both a standard clinic room and a soundproofed room under the following conditions in a randomised order: on the floor versus on foam; with and without a sound-localising source; and with and without ear defenders.

Results:

Significant differences in the extent of rotation were found when comparing the results obtained in several settings, including standing on the floor in a standard room versus a soundproofed room (p = 0.036), and standing on foam in a standard room versus a soundproofed room (p = 0.015).

Conclusion:

Our results suggest that certain alterations to the test environment may improve the sensitivity of this clinical examination.

Keywords

Postural BalanceVertigoPhysical ExaminationVestibule, Labyrinth
Type
Main Articles
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 129 , Issue 5 , May 2015 , pp. 450 - 453
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2015 

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Footnotes

Presented as a poster at the 2nd meeting of the European Academy of ORL-HNS, 27–30 Apr 2013, Nice, France, and at the 9th meeting of the British Society of Neuro-Otology, 11 Oct 2013, London, UK

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