Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 24, 2026
Using Eye-tracking to Assess the Relative Importance of Visual and Vestibular Input to Subcortical Motion Processing in the Roll Plane
Published on: August 22, 2025
Modification of the postrotary nystagmus test for evaluating young children
Zoe Mailloux1, Marco Leão2, Tracy Ann Becerra3
1Zoe Mailloux, OTD, OTR/L, FAOTA, is Adjunct Associate Professor, Department of Occupational Therapy, Jefferson School of Health Professions, Thomas Jefferson University, and Professional and Program Development Consultant, 407 Camino de Encanto, Redondo Beach, CA 90277; zoemailloux@gmail.com.
Insights
The postrotary nystagmus (PRN) test can be reliably used in infants and toddlers. This study found that PRN test norms for 5-year-olds are applicable to children under 4 years old.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Vestibular Assessment
- Neurodevelopmental Testing
Background:
- The postrotary nystagmus (PRN) test is a key measure for assessing vestibular function.
- Current norms for the PRN test are established for children aged 4.0–8.11 years.
- The applicability of these norms to younger children remains underexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the validity of the postrotary nystagmus (PRN) test in children younger than the established age norms.
- To determine if adapted holding positions affect PRN reflex measurements in young children.
- To compare PRN scores in infants and toddlers (<47 months) with norms for 5-year-old children.
Main Methods:
- Two studies were conducted involving children aged 4 months to 9 years.
- Study 1: Assessed PRN in 37 children (4-9 years) in standard and adapted positions.
- Study 2: Compared PRN in 44 infants/toddlers (2-47 months) with published norms for 5-year-olds.
Main Results:
- Child-holding position did not significantly affect the PRN reflex.
- No statistically significant differences were found between PRN scores of children under 4 years old and published norms for 5-year-olds.
- This suggests current norms for 4-year-olds are applicable to younger children.
Conclusions:
- The postrotary nystagmus (PRN) test can be effectively used with infants and toddlers.
- PRN test results in young children can be validly compared to existing norms for 4-year-olds on the Sensory Integration and Praxis Tests.
- Further research is recommended to explore the predictive utility of the PRN test in this younger age group.
Abstract:
This article explores the use of the postrotary nystagmus (PRN) test for children younger than current norms (children 4.0 yr-8.11 yr). In the first study, 37 children ages 4-9 yr were examined in the standard testing position and in an adult-held adapted position to determine whether holding a child affected the reflex. Because the position did not affect the reflex, in the second study, PRN in 44 children ages 2 mo-47 mo was compared with published normative mean raw scores for 44 children age 5 yr to determine whether norms for older children were applicable to younger children. No statistically significant differences were found between <4-yr-old and 5-yr-old children, suggesting that the PRN test can be used in infants and toddlers with valid comparison to current norms for 4-yr-olds on the Sensory Integration and Praxis Tests (4.0 yr-8.11 yr). Future research exploring the predictive value of this measure is warranted.
