Hoovers Sign (Neurological): Difference between revisions

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== Purpose  ==
== Purpose  ==


The purpose of the test is to distinguish between leg paresis that is psychogenic from that which is genuine. Genuine leg weakness seen in paresis is considered to be "organic," and other causes of leg paresis that are not related to a neuropathological process are considered to be "nonorganic."<ref name="Ziv" />  
The purpose of the test is to differentiate between leg paresis that has no definitive neurological pathology (non-organic) to that which has a definite, identifiable cause (organic).<ref name="Ziv" />This  test was first described by Dr Charles Franklin Hoover in 1908 as a bedside test to identify functional weakness in the lower extremities.<ref>Shams T, Ashraf F, DeGeorgia M. [[Charles Franklin Hoover and the Hoover Sign]] (P04. 006). Neurology Apr 2012 78:1 </ref>  


== Technique  ==
== Technique  ==

Revision as of 10:59, 11 June 2021

Purpose[edit | edit source]

The purpose of the test is to differentiate between leg paresis that has no definitive neurological pathology (non-organic) to that which has a definite, identifiable cause (organic).[1]This test was first described by Dr Charles Franklin Hoover in 1908 as a bedside test to identify functional weakness in the lower extremities.[2]

Technique[edit | edit source]

Hoover's sign is a motor sign. It is based on the principle of crossed extensor reflex. The patient is placed in a supine/recumbent position. The examiner places his/her hand under the patient's heel. The patient is then instructed to press the heels down onto the table. The examiner is expected to feel pressure on the non-paretic limb. The patient is then asked to raise his/her non-paretic limb against downward resistance applied by the therapist. No pressure is expected to be felt under the paretic leg that is on the table.[1] The Hoover's sign is when pressure is felt the paretic leg when the non-paretic leg is raised and no pressure is felt in the non-paretic leg when the paretic leg is being raised.[3]

 [4]
 [5]

Evidence[edit | edit source]

Sensitivity 63% [6][7]

specificity 100%[6][7]

Hoover's sign was moderately sensitive and very specific for a diagnosis of functional weakness.[6]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. Koehler, P.J., Okun, M.S. (2004). Important observations prior to the description of the Hoover sign.  Historical Neurology. 63: 1693-1697.
  2. Larner, A.J. (2001). A Dictionary of Neurological signs. Springer.
  1. 1.0 1.1 Ziv, I., Djaldetti, R., Zoldan, J., Avraham, M., Melamed, E. (1998). Diagnosis of "non-organic" limb paresis by a novel objective motor assessment: The quantitative Hoover's test. Journal of Neurology, 245: 797-802.
  2. Shams T, Ashraf F, DeGeorgia M. Charles Franklin Hoover and the Hoover Sign (P04. 006). Neurology Apr 2012 78:1
  3. Kaufman, D.M. (2007). Clinical neurology for psychiatrists: 6th edition. Elsevier Health Sciences. p. 20.
  4. online video, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4Fk_ZzCX6A, last accessed 6/2/2009
  5. Clinically Relevant Technologies, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QqQuPL36loM, last accessed May 2011
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 McWhirter, Laura, et al. "Hoover's sign for the diagnosis of functional weakness: a prospective unblinded cohort study in patients with suspected stroke." Journal of psychosomatic research 71.6 (2011): 384-386.
  7. 7.0 7.1 Mehndiratta MM, Kumar M, Nayak R, Garg H, Pandey S. Hoover's sign: Clinical relevance in Neurology. J Postgrad Med. 2014;60(3):297-299. doi:10.4103/0022-3859.138769