Objective: To investigate the efficacy of a novel EMS device (Tremor’s glove) for reducing intractable resting hand tremor in PD.

Background: Intractable resting hand tremor is a debilitating symptom of Parkinson’s disease (PD) affecting up to 30% of patients. Our previous study demonstrated the effectiveness of electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) in reduction of this type of tremor. 

Methods: Thirty PD patients with intractable tremor were included and randomly allocated into either the Tremor’s glove group or the sham glove group. The Tremor’s glove is a specially-designed medical device that incorporates a tremor detection module and an EMS module into an adjustable glove. 

Results: There were no statistically significant differences in demographic data or tremor parameters between groups. During stimulation, the Tremor’s glove group had significant tremor reduction was obtained objectively and clinically including; the root mean square (RMS) of angular velocity in all axis (X-, Y-, and Z-), and the unified Parkinson’s Disease rating scale tremor score, when compared to those in the sham stimulation group (p<0.005, each). Mean duration of tremor reduction after stimulation was 107.78 ± 104.15 seconds. No serious adverse events were observed in this study. However, visual analog scale (VAS) pain scores were significantly higher in the Tremor’s glove group than in the sham stimulation group (p=0.015).

Conclusions: An EMS-based Tremor’s glove was shown to be effective in suppressing intractable resting hand tremor among PD patients in this randomized sham-controlled study. A long-term follow-up in a large population should be conducted to confirm the effectiveness of this device and to determine the most suitable tremor algorithm.

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/tremors-glove-an-innovative-electrical-muscle-stimulation-therapy-to-treat-intractable-tremor-in-parkinsons-disease-patients-a-randomized-sham-controlled-trial/