The Pole Test is a behavioral test used to assess the locomotor function of rodents
During the Pole Test, a rodent is placed on the tip of a pole with its head pointed upward and is tasked to descend to the ground without pausing
The subject’s ability to descend to the floor by turning its body around without falling is used to assess its locomotor function or dysfunction after injury
The Pole Test requires minimal equipment and provides direct results
Moreover, the test can be conducted in the subject’s home cage since it might prefer to descend to a familiar location
We have other apparatuses used in assessing rodent motor function include the Grip Strength test, the Balance Beam, the Parallel Bars, the Catalepsy Bar test, the Static Rods Test, the Gait Test, the Parallel Rod test.
