MIT class project turns into an FDA-cleared treatment for tremors (news.mit.edu)
108 points by zdw a day ago
spike021 4 hours ago
I have essential tremor. Hearing about new treatment options is exciting. At one time my pediatric neurologist basically said the only kind of treatment had real nasty side effects, and most recently the prescription pill I tried also presented side effects that weren't worth it.
I'm going to look into this when I can. would love to try it if it's financially feasible.
ETA: Looking at their website and all the models in the photos are older people...
As someone diagnosed with ET since high school that's kind of funny.
cluckindan 2 hours ago
Has anyone told you to avoid beta-carbolines in your diet?
dmd 2 hours ago
Please don't do this kind of thing. It is incredibly rude. For me it's migraines - anytime I mention them I am absolutely flooded by people saying "oh, have you tried X? have you tried Y? All you need is celery juice!" I've been having migraines for 30 years. Believe me, I know more about them than you do.
dingring4 38 minutes ago
spike021 10 minutes ago
I've tried multiple things over the years with no improvement.
Are there any studies with results showing this as a suitable way to reduce tremors?
jacquesm 3 hours ago
The guy they describe as their pilot patient was much younger.
ghaff 2 hours ago
Apparently (per neurologist) onset is basically bimodal—teens or so and around 60.
jacquesm 3 hours ago
This is the kind of technology application that I can get behind. What a wonderful project and great to see the original person with the idea so skeptical that it could work, be outvoted and then see their idea come to life.
yalogin an hour ago
Very interesting, I worked on something very similar for tremors, just didn’t take it to a product or a startup for reasons. Glad to see someone did it
fridder 5 hours ago
Really glad they mentioned essential tremors. It can be quite limiting and frustrating
trebligdivad 4 hours ago
The original demo was with a parkinsons sufferer but this clearance is for essential tremors - why the change?
yieldcrv 4 hours ago
Because that’s the only thing the syndicate ran trials on
Demo wasn’t a trial
Palomides 5 hours ago
why did it take 9 years to not even come to market?
ah, "Today, Encora is focused on building a national sales force and working to secure coverage from insurers."
timlimfimbim 3 hours ago
See also from the UK https://www.beechband.com/ I've tried out both that and this https://www.amazon.com/Rockhouse-Metronome-Wearable-Vibratin... and both feel similar (NB. I don't have tremor but have a family member with Parkinsons)
ck2 5 hours ago
note that "FDA Cleared" only means it's (extremely) similar to another approved device
not that they tested or approved it
it's an often marketed phrase that's meaningless
Hnrobert42 4 hours ago
Is that true with the 501(k) approval?
Lucasoato 4 hours ago
> Wristband device from Encora Therapeutics started as a project in 2.009, MIT’s iconic product-design class.
Ok, maybe you're not reviewing the entire article, but at least the subtitle.
diggernet 2 hours ago
2.009 appears to be some kind of class id. The actual class discussed was in 2017.