Subjective visual vertical and horizontal: bucket test normative

Abstract

Objective

The Subjective Visual Vertical (SVV) and Subjective Visual Horizontal (SVH) are convincing tools to assess otolithic organ and/or central gravio-ceptive pathways. This study was undertaken to establish normative of SVV and SVH in different age groups from Indian population.

Methods

A total of 180 subjects divided into 6 groups 30 each with respect to age (10–20, 21–30, 31–40, 41–50, 51–60 years) were recruited in the study. Testing was administered using the bucket technique. The subject was instructed to rotate the bucket to match his/her perceptual visual vertical and horizontal. The movement of the bucket in the clockwise and counter-clockwise directions made the string tied to the weight rotate freely. This made it possible for the investigator to read the findings on protractor.

Results

SVH and SVV range between −1 to +3 which is in congruence with the findings of literature. However, there is no significant difference observed across age groups for both SVV and SVH.

Conclusion

The study provides normative for SVV and SVH which can be considered as reference values to assess a subject with acute peripheral vestibular pathology. The test findings can be grouped with counselling and rehabilitation to improve the subject’s quality of life.

Keywords:

• Subjective visual vertical
• subjective visual horizontal
• vestibular system
• otoliths

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).