"Romberg's test, whose name is perhaps taken in vain more often than any other in medicine".—C. H. Edwards ('Neurology of Ear, Nose, and Throat Disease' 1973)

Marshall Hall, Moritz Romberg, and Bernardus Brach first described this sign in the early 19th century. But, other 19th-century clinicians were pivotal to its interpretation, and these included William Osler, Jean-Martin Charcot and William Gowers.

Early in its history, the sign was linked to the specific diagnosis of tabes dorsalis or progressive locomotor ataxia, later known to be caused by syphilis. The current understanding allows for a much broader range of underlying pathologies, including vestibular, cerebellar, as well as, proprioceptive dysfunction.

A central issue in interpreting the Romberg’s test is whether its application is that of a binary clinical sign (i.e. it is either present or absent), or whether it finds utility as a form of posturography, whereby the result is interpreted in the context of a continuum (wherein normal values are set according to age).

In 2009 we surveyed 49 neurologists at the Australian and New Zealand Association of Neurologists Annual Scientific Meeting and the members of a division of General Practice in Melbourne, Australia, regarding their understanding, method and interpretation of the Romberg’s test. There was very little consistency in the responses to the eight item written survey within and between the two groups surveyed.

We proffer some tentative recommendations on nomenclature.