Have the patient stand with her feet together, arms stretched in front of her. Have her close
her eyes and watch her balance. Romberg "posture" tests dorsal column-medial lemniscus system.
"Negative Romberg test" refers to a stable, well-balancing patient with her eyes either open or closed. Romberg test is considered positive if the patient stands on a narrow base with eyes open, but falls on
closing the eyes. In MS we may see posterior column findings, cerebellar findings, or both
contributing to loss of balance. Romberg test helps to assess posterior column dysfunction but
detailed sensory and cerebellar exam may be required to discern the causes of imbalance. Romberg test
is not very informative if the patient's motor strength in the lower extremities is severely compromised.