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MIT class project turns into an FDA-cleared treatment for tremors

113 points by zdw 2 days ago | 18 comments

spike021 5 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 3 hours ago

Has anyone told you to avoid beta-carbolines in your diet?

dmd 3 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 2 hours ago

Not everyone does research like you. And it is definitely not rude to ask have you heard about x and your thoughts about it, especially if you tried something and it didn't work it could spark a good discussion.

spike021 35 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 4 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 4 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.

trebligdivad 5 hours ago

The original demo was with a parkinsons sufferer but this clearance is for essential tremors - why the change?

yieldcrv 5 hours ago

Because that’s the only thing the syndicate ran trials on

Demo wasn’t a trial

fridder 6 hours ago

Really glad they mentioned essential tremors. It can be quite limiting and frustrating

yalogin 2 hours 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

Palomides 6 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."

ck2 6 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 5 hours ago

Is that true with the 501(k) approval?

timlimfimbim 4 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)

gazpachotron 9 minutes ago

[dead]

Lucasoato 5 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 3 hours ago

2.009 appears to be some kind of class id. The actual class discussed was in 2017.