London, ON - For patients who suffer from Parkinson’s disease and essential tremor, writing a grocery list or taking a drink from a cup can be a daily struggle due to disabling arm tremor. Now, technology developed in London provides a personalized therapy that is giving new hope for these patients.
The technology, under the tradename TremorTek, uses a combination of wearable movement sensors and computer software to determine exactly which muscles and what biomechanics are at play for each individual patient’s tremor symptoms. Using the information from that technology, clinicians can precisely place injections to reduce tremor at the exact source.
Developed by a research team led by Dr. Mandar Jog, Professor in the Department of Clinical Neurological Sciences at Western’s Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, and a scientist at Lawson Health Research Institute, the technology is showing exceptional promise in clinical trials for both essential tremor and Parkinson’s disease tremor.
Over the course of 38 weeks, the severity of the tremor was significantly reduced and eating, drinking and working performance was improved. The results of the studies were recently published in the journals PLoS One and in Tremor and Other Hyperkinetic Movements Journal.
“Very few clinicians inject for tremor because before now, it just didn’t work. The injections would only cause weakness,” said Dr. Jog. “We realize now that was because they didn’t know where to inject. The uniqueness of our development is the simplicity of it. It records from multiple joints in a straightforward way.”
39 year-old Michael Dietrich was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease six years ago and tremors in his right arm have prevented him from doing things like brushing his teeth and using the computer, limiting his ability to do his job as a kitchen designer. After becoming involved in the study, Dietrich says the technology has dramatically changed his quality of life. “It has been life-altering. The tremor affected my ability to do everyday tasks,” he said. “Being involved in the trial with the sensor-guided injections means that now I can do most functions that I used to do. I have seen a marked difference.”
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The Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry at Western University is one of Canada’s preeminent medical and dental schools. Established in 1881, it was one of the founding schools of Western University and is known for being the birthplace of family medicine in Canada. For more than 130 years, the School has demonstrated a commitment to academic excellence and a passion for scientific discovery.
Lawson Health Research Institute is one of Canada’s top hospital-based research institutes, tackling the most pressing challenges in health care. As the research institute of London Health Sciences Centre and St. Joseph’s Health Care London, our innovation happens where care is delivered. Lawson research teams are at the leading-edge of science with the goal of improving health and the delivery of care for patients. Working in partnership with Western University, our researchers are encouraged to pursue their curiosity, collaborate often and share their discoveries widely. Research conducted through Lawson makes a difference in the lives of patients, families and communities around the world. To learn more, visit www.lawsonresearch.ca.
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