The Sensory Organization Test (SOT) objectively identifies problems with postural control by assessing the patient's ability to make effective use of (or suppress inappropriate) visual, vestibular, and proprioceptive information.

During the SOT, useful information delivered to the patient's eyes, feet and joints is effectively eliminated through calibrated "sway referencing" of the support surface and/or visual surround. The support surface and/or visual surround tilt to directly follow the patient's anteroposterior body sway, eliminating orientation information. By controlling the usefulness of the sensory (visual and proprioceptive) information through sway referencing and/or eyes open/closed conditions, the SOT protocol systematically eliminates useful visual and/or support surface information and creates sensory conflict situations. These conditions isolate vestibular balance control, as well as stress the adaptive responses of the central nervous system. In short, patients may display either an inability to make effective use of individual sensory systems, or inappropriate adaptive responses, resulting in the use of inaccurate sense(s).

The SOT protocol is comprised of the following six sensory conditions: