4 Simple Balance Tests at Home (Romberg Tests)

May 19, 2021

Are you looking for a simple way to test your balance at home? 

The Romberg Test, which features four different balance positions, is a very useful tool!

Testing your 3 balance systems is a bit tricky to do on your own, but it can be done.

Remember that the 3 systems include your vision, your sensation/proprioception and your inner ear.

I’ll explain how to test each of the 3 below, but let me give you a word of caution first: when you test your balance on your own, you run the risk of falling.

So if you’re interested in performing these tests, make sure you’re in a safe environment and that someone is nearby to help you correct your balance if needed.

Here are what we call the “Romberg” balance tests:

->> Position #1: stand on a firm surface with your feet together and eyes open

->> Position #2: stand on a firm surface with your feet together and eyes closed

->> Position #3: stand on an unstable surface with your feet together and eyes open

->> Position #4: stand on an unstable surface with your feet together and eyes closed

*Use a piece of foam or a squishy pillow for an unstable surface

How to interpret the tests:

A person with “normal” balance should be able to perform each of the 4 positions with minimal difficulty for 30 seconds each.

If you have difficulty with the first position, which is the easiest, you likely have more than one balance system involved.

If you do fine with the first position but have difficulty with the second position, it’s likely that you’re visually dominant and have issues with both your sensation and inner ear.

If you do just fine with the first 2 positions but then have difficulty with the third, you likely have issues with your
sensation/proprioception, and possibly your inner ear as well.

And finally, if you have difficult with the fourth position alone, you likely have some level of difficulty with your inner ear only.

Check out the video below for more details. 

And if you have any specific questions about how to test or improve your balance, please feel free to email me directly at Luke@GordonPhysicalTherapy.com

If you’d like even more help improving your balance, you can download my free report with “9 Simple Ways to Improve Your Balance” by visiting https://GordonPhysicalTherapy.com/balance-fall-prevention/

Happy balancing!

– Luke Gordon, DPT (Doctor of Physical Therapy/Owner of Gordon Physical Therapy)