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Wartenberg’s Swing Test

Wartenberg’s swing test is used to assess limb and trunk rigidity (cf. Wartenberg’s pendulum test, used to measure spasticity, q.v.). With the patient standing, the examiner holds the shoulders and gently shakes backward and forwards, the two sides out of phase. Normally the passive arm swing induced by this movement will be out of phase with the trunk movements, but in rigidity the limbs and trunk tend to move en bloc. Passive swinging of the wrist or elbow joint may also be performed to assess rigidity.