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Developing a measurement tool for essential tremor

Overview

Essential tremor (ET) is the most common movement disorder. A progressive neurological condition, it often results in dependency later in life.

  • Clinicians who are not specialised in tremor assessments may have difficulty assessing the severity of a person’s ET
  • Our research aims to develop a simple method of accurately measuring ET using virtual reality technologies and movement sensors
  • It is hoped that being able to measure ET will support early intervention and clinical management of patients, plus help to progress therapies for the condition.

About essential tremor

Essential tremor (ET) is a progressive, disabling condition that causes involuntary and rhythmic shaking. Sometimes, another neurological condition called dystonia occurs in conjunction with ET, causing a person’s muscles to contract. ET commonly affects a person’s upper limbs or head but can also be present in the lower limbs and voice.

Why is a new diagnostic tool for essential tremor needed?

Due to the complex nature of ET, doctors who are not specialised in tremor assessment may have difficulty assessing the severity of these conditions.

Once diagnosed, there are some surgical and pharmaceutical treatments available for ET, but they are not always effective or only help some people for a period of time.

Finding a way to measure ET more easily within a primary care setting would help doctors decide on an appropriate treatment for a person’s tremor, assess if a treatment has had benefits, or if a neurologist referral is required.

The use of objective measurement tools may also help to develop new treatments through use in clinical trials.

Developing a way to measure essential tremor

Our research team are working to develop an easy-to-use system for the measurement of ET using virtual reality.

Sensors already available within VR technologies will be used to build an algorithm that accurately measures ET severity.

We aim to use this data to build a simple device that can be used in clinical trials of new therapies and for non-specialists who are not experienced in assessing ET.

The research team

Bionics Institute researchers

Professor Malcolm Horne, Sarah Osborn, Associate Professor David Szmulewicz

 

External researchers

Dr Hamish MacDougall (holds an Honorary Bionics Institute position)

 

Medical Disclaimer

This article contains general information relating to a medical condition. Such information is provided for informational purposes only and does not replace medical advice given by your healthcare professional.

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