Evaluation and interpretation of the bucket test in healthy individuals^*

Abstract

Objective: To determine and interpret the range of normal deviation of the bucket test in healthy subjects

Subjects and methods: Study design: Cross-sectional study in a secondary care center. Inclusion criteria: subjects ≥18 years old with no otologic or neurologic symptoms and normal complete neuro-otological examination. The subjective visual vertical was evaluated binocularly using the bucket test. Five measurements were made on the clockwise direction and five on the counterclockwise direction. The examiner selected the starting point, the patient then manipulated the bucket and it stopped when the volunteer considered the line reached the vertical position.

Results: Fifty healthy volunteers were included, 16 (32%) were men, and 34 (68%) women with a mean age of 34 years. The mean value found clockwise was 1.93° ± 2.26° and counterclockwise sense was of 0.86° ± 2.44°. Mean normal values ranged from 1.4° ± 1.9°.

Conclusions: The bucket test is easy and quick to perform; we recommend to use a range of −1.0° to +3.0° as normal values in the healthy population.

Chinese abstract

目的：确定和解释健康受试者桶测试的正常偏差范围。

研究对象和方法：研究设计：在二级保健中心进行横断面研究。征入标准：受试者≥18岁, 无耳部或神经系统症状, 全神经耳科检查正常。使用桶测试进行双眼评估主观视觉垂直。在顺时针方向上进行五次测量, 在逆时针方向上也测量五次。检测员选择起点, 然后病人操纵桶, 当志愿者认为该线到达垂直位置时就停止操纵。

结果：征入了50名健康志愿者, 其中男性16人（32%）, 女性34人（68%）, 平均年龄34岁。 顺时针平均值为1.93°±2.26°, 逆时针方向为0.86°±2.44°。平均正常值范围为1.4°±1.9°。

结论：桶测试简单快捷, 我们建议使用 -1.0°至+ 3.0°的范围作为健康人群的正常值。

Keywords:

• Bucket test
• subjective visual vertical
• otolith organs
• utricule
• vestibular dysfunction

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.