Which test requires the patient to walk in a straight line, placing one foot directly in front of the other?

Which test requires the patient to walk in a straight line, placing one foot directly in front of the other?

• A. Counting backwards
• B. Dorsiflexing the ankle
• C. Squeezing the examiner's fingers
• D. Walking heel-to-toe in a straight line

Answer: (D)

Walking heel-to-toe in a straight line is a tandem gait test that assesses balance and coordination. When you place one foot directly in front of the other, you reduce the base of support and require precise, coordinated control of movement from the cerebellum and integration of sensory input from vision, the inner ear, and proprioception. A normal person can maintain a steady, straight line, while difficulty or an unsteady, wide-based or veering stance suggests cerebellar dysfunction or problems with proprioceptive or vestibular systems. Other tasks in the list test different functions rather than gait coordination: counting backwards evaluates attention and working memory; dorsiflexing the ankle examines ankle strength and motor control of the dorsiflexors; squeezing the examiner’s fingers assesses hand grip and fine motor coordination.

Walking heel-to-toe in a straight line is a tandem gait test that assesses balance and coordination. When you place one foot directly in front of the other, you reduce the base of support and require precise, coordinated control of movement from the cerebellum and integration of sensory input from vision, the inner ear, and proprioception. A normal person can maintain a steady, straight line, while difficulty or an unsteady, wide-based or veering stance suggests cerebellar dysfunction or problems with proprioceptive or vestibular systems.

Other tasks in the list test different functions rather than gait coordination: counting backwards evaluates attention and working memory; dorsiflexing the ankle examines ankle strength and motor control of the dorsiflexors; squeezing the examiner’s fingers assesses hand grip and fine motor coordination.