title: Performance of Fukuda Stepping Test as a function of the severity of caloric weakness in chronic dizzy patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The purpose of the Fukuda Stepping Test (FST) is to measure asymmetrical vestibulospinal reflex tone resulting from labyrinthine dysfunction. The FST is a low cost evaluation for dizzy patients; however, when compared with gold standard caloric irrigation unilateral weakness (UW) value ≥25%, the FST has not been shown to be a sensitive tool for identifying unilateral vestibular hypofunction.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this technical report is to further evaluate the clinical utility of FST with and without headshake as a function of increased caloric asymmetry for individuals with unilateral peripheral vestibular pathology.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective review of FST results with and without head shaking component as compared to gold standard, caloric irrigation UW outcome values at four severity levels: 0-24% UW (normal caloric value); 25-50% UW (mild caloric UW); 51-75% UW (moderate caloric UW); 76-100% UW (severe caloric UW).
  
  
  METHODS
  736 chronic (≥8 wk symptom complaints) dizzy patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Standard FST and FST following a head shake task are insensitive to detecting mild to moderate peripheral vestibular paresis. Increased test performance was observed for patients with severe canal paresis (>76% UW); however, continued inconsistencies were found in turn direction toward the severe unilateral vestibular dysfunction.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Overall, the FST provides little benefit to clinicians when used in the vestibular bedside examination.
authors.affiliation: Department of Special Education and Communication Disorders, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE, USA.
authors.forename: Julie A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Honaker
authors.forename: Neil T
authors.initials: NT
authors.lastname: Shepard
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002150:Caloric Tests; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004244:Dizziness / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D019416:Head Movements / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012015:Reference Standards; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D015837:Vestibular Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D014724:Vestibular Function Tests / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards*; D055815:Young Adult