Head Impulse Test

To perform the Head Impulse Test, quickly and unpredictably rotate the patient's head by 10-15 degrees to one side while they focus on a stationary target, and observe for corrective eye movements.

A positive Head Impulse Test indicates vestibular hypofunction, where corrective saccades occur as the eyes move back to the target after head rotation.

The normal Head Impulse Test differentiates acute cerebellar strokes from vestibular neuritis. Patients with vestibular neuritis will have an abnormal Head Impulse Test, while those with cerebellar strokes will have a normal Head Impulse Test.