The romberg test is a test for proprioception in which the patients are observed for

unsteadiness as they stand with their feet close together, arms to the sides and
eyes closed. Failure to maintain this posture indicates sensory ataxia, which may be
caused by defeccts in posterior column or peripheral nerves (e.g tabes dorsalis, Vit
B12 deficiency). This is called positive romberg sign.
Patients who show little or no change in unsteadiness with their eyes closed likely
have cerebeller ataxia due to impaired motor cordination