Nonlinear absorber device to treat essential tremor: The TREM-AB open-label pilot study.

BACKGROUND

Essential tremor (ET) is the most common movement disorder. Medical treatments are not always effective and can have side effects. Surgical interventions are not an option for all patients and can also have debilitating side effects.

OBJECTIVES

This project aims to develop a passive nonlinear vibration absorber namely, Nonlinear Energy Sink (NES), to reduce tremors in ET patients.

METHODS

Five ET patients were enrolled. Tremor was assessed clinically using the Fahn-Tolosa-Marin (FTM) rating scale and electrophysiological recording before and after short-duration device use.

RESULTS

The NES bracelet led to a reduction of the FTM score of 32.1% (±19%) while tremor power was reduced by 49.2% (±23.4%) compared to baseline for the arm treated. No side effect was noted.

CONCLUSIONS

The anti-tremor NES device shows promising results needing to be confirmed in larger controlled studies.