Smooth Pursuit Neck Torsion Test (SPNT)

Execution:

  1. Patient sits on a swivel chair
  2. The patient is asked to keep the head steady in a horizontal position
  3. The patient introduces neck rotation to 45° by rotating the chair
  4. The examiner instructs the patient to trace a slowly horizontally moving target with the eyes
  5. The test is done in neutral torso position, torso turned to the left, and torso turned to the right

 

Positive Outcome: Dizziness is reproduced in the torsion position compared to the neutral position

Study Reliability Sn Sp LR+ LR-
Tjell et al. (1998) NA 90 91 10 0.11
Comment: Although this test seems to have a high accuracy to diagnose cervicogenic dizziness, it is the only study evaluating this test so far