Objective The aim of this study was to analyze the correlation between catch-up saccade (CS) parameters in the horizontal video head impulse test (vHIT) and head-shaking nystagmus (HSN) after the head-shaking test (HST), to obtain information to help improve the comprehensiveness and accuracy of the clinical evaluation of vestibular function. Methods Data on spontaneous nystagmus (SN), head-shaking nystagmus (HSN), and horizontal video head impulse test (vHIT) were retrospectively collected from patients treated at Nanchong Hospital of Capital Medical University Affiliated Beijing Anzhen Hospital (Nanchong Central Hospital) from March 2025 to September 2025. According to SN and HSN findings, patients were categorized into five groups: SN(-)/HSN(-) (n=33), SN(-)/HSN(L) (n=20), SN(-)/HSN(R) (n=21), SN(L)/HSN(L) (n=14), and SN(R)/HSN(R) (n=19).SThe general condition of patients, the occurrence of horizontal vHIT saccade and the correlation of related parameters with SN and HSN direction were subsequently analyzed. Results When HSN was positive, the occurrence rate of CS during bilateral head impulse test was statistically significant (P <0.05). The time to peak head movement was significantly different between all the groups (P <0.05). Further, except for the SNL/HSNL group, the peak velocities were significantly different (P <0.05); and, except for the SN-/HSNL group, the first saccade velocities in the other groups were statistically significant (P <0.05). The absolute value of the difference between the first scanning time and peak time was equal to the time difference, and the speed ratio between the first scanning speed and peak speed was obtained. Overall, these results indicate that, except for the SN-/HSN- group, the time difference, the speed ratio, the probability of CS occurrence and the first scanning time all showed significant differences between groups (P <0.05). Conclusion The probability of bilateral CS occurrence in HSN-positive patients is more likely to be asymmetrical, while the probability of CS occurrence on the direction side of the HSN is generally lower than that on the opposite side. The CS wave in the HSN-positive group was more likely to appear earlier and higher on the direction of the HSN than on the opposite side.