Your vestibular system is the sensory system that helps you maintain balance. The test is used to determine if there is vestibular system weakness on one side of your body.
This article discusses the Fukuda Step Test, what it is used for, and how reliable it may be.
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Purpose of the Fukuda Step Test
The Fukuda Step Test is one of the tests that may be performed during a vestibular and balance exam. Aphysical therapistmay do these tests if you are feeling dizzy, havevertigo, or are having problems maintaining your balance. You can also do the test at home.
When your physical therapist is assessing your balance and vestibular system, he or she will likely perform several tests to determine the cause of your disequilibrium. Other tests that check your eye motion, head and neck motion, and balance may also be performed. Special tests, like the Dix-Hallpike maneuver, may be performed to rule in or rule outbenign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV).
Diagnosing Different Types of Dizziness
How the Fukuda Step Test is Performed
Peripheral Vertigo and Causes of Dizziness
How to Assess the Results
After performing the Fukuda Stepping Test, place a small piece of tape on the floor along the front of your toes, and compare the angle of this line with your original line. If you have taken only 50 steps, then an angle of 30 degrees or more may indicate vestibular weakness to the side your body deviated.
If you performed the Fukuda Test for 100 steps, an angle greater than 45 degrees indicates single-sided vestibular weakness on the side to which your body turned while doing the test.
The Vestibular Ocular Motor Screen
Reliability
There is some question amongst healthcare providers as to whether the Fukuda test is a reliable measure of vestibular function.
One study compared the Fukuda Stepping Test with another test called the Babinski-Weil Test. Subjects were non-disabled adults. The researchers concluded that the Fukuda test produced variable results in healthy test subjects, and was therefore not as reliable as the Babinski-Weil Test.
Another study found that the Fukuda Stepping Test was more useful when subjects wore inertial sensors on their lower legs, pelvis, sternum, and head.
If you have dizziness or vertigo, then specific testing may be necessary to determine the cause of your problem. The Fukuda Stepping Test is a simple test to perform to monitor your current dizziness and to help your physical therapist find the right treatment for your dizziness.
Summary
There is some question about whether or not the Fukuda Stepping Test is an accurate way to measure vestibular function. It’s always a good idea to discuss this test and its results with your healthcare provider, and ask for additional tests if needed.
3 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Cohen HS.A review on screening tests for vestibular disorders.J Neurophysiol. 2019;122(1):81-92. doi:10.1152/jn.00819.2018Paquet N, Taillon-Hobson A, Lajoie Y.Fukuda and Babinski-Weil tests: within-subject variability and test-retest reliability in nondisabled adults.J Rehabil Res Dev.2014;51(6):1013–1022. doi:10.1682/JRRD.2013.09.0206Belluscio V, Bergamini E, Iosa M, Tramontano M, Morone G, Vannozzi G.The iFST: An instrumented version of the Fukuda Stepping Test for balance assessment.Gait Posture. 2018;60:203-8. doi:10.1016/j.gaitpost.2017.12.010
3 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Cohen HS.A review on screening tests for vestibular disorders.J Neurophysiol. 2019;122(1):81-92. doi:10.1152/jn.00819.2018Paquet N, Taillon-Hobson A, Lajoie Y.Fukuda and Babinski-Weil tests: within-subject variability and test-retest reliability in nondisabled adults.J Rehabil Res Dev.2014;51(6):1013–1022. doi:10.1682/JRRD.2013.09.0206Belluscio V, Bergamini E, Iosa M, Tramontano M, Morone G, Vannozzi G.The iFST: An instrumented version of the Fukuda Stepping Test for balance assessment.Gait Posture. 2018;60:203-8. doi:10.1016/j.gaitpost.2017.12.010
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Cohen HS.A review on screening tests for vestibular disorders.J Neurophysiol. 2019;122(1):81-92. doi:10.1152/jn.00819.2018Paquet N, Taillon-Hobson A, Lajoie Y.Fukuda and Babinski-Weil tests: within-subject variability and test-retest reliability in nondisabled adults.J Rehabil Res Dev.2014;51(6):1013–1022. doi:10.1682/JRRD.2013.09.0206Belluscio V, Bergamini E, Iosa M, Tramontano M, Morone G, Vannozzi G.The iFST: An instrumented version of the Fukuda Stepping Test for balance assessment.Gait Posture. 2018;60:203-8. doi:10.1016/j.gaitpost.2017.12.010
Cohen HS.A review on screening tests for vestibular disorders.J Neurophysiol. 2019;122(1):81-92. doi:10.1152/jn.00819.2018
Paquet N, Taillon-Hobson A, Lajoie Y.Fukuda and Babinski-Weil tests: within-subject variability and test-retest reliability in nondisabled adults.J Rehabil Res Dev.2014;51(6):1013–1022. doi:10.1682/JRRD.2013.09.0206
Belluscio V, Bergamini E, Iosa M, Tramontano M, Morone G, Vannozzi G.The iFST: An instrumented version of the Fukuda Stepping Test for balance assessment.Gait Posture. 2018;60:203-8. doi:10.1016/j.gaitpost.2017.12.010
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