The functional head impulse test: preliminary data

J Neurol. 2018 Oct;265(Suppl 1):35-39. doi: 10.1007/s00415-018-8910-z. Epub 2018 Jun 4.

Abstract

The functional head impulse test is a new test of vestibular function based on the ability to recognize the orientation of a Landolt C optotype that briefly appears on a computer screen during passive head impulses imposed by the examiner over a range of head accelerations. Here, we compare its results with those of the video head impulse test on a population of vestibular neuritis patients recorded acutely and after 3 months from symptoms onset. The preliminary results presented here show that while both tests are able to identify the affected labyrinth and to show a recovery of vestibular functionality at 3 months, the two tests are not redundant, but complementary.

Keywords: Functional vestibular testing; Head impulse test; Vestibular neuritis; Vestibular rehabilitation assessment; fHIT.

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Head Impulse Test*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Preliminary Data
  • Vestibular Neuronitis / diagnosis*
  • Vestibular Neuronitis / rehabilitation