Scientists at Stanford University have designed gloves that use vibro-tactile stimulation on fingers and hands for therapeutic effect; trials have demonstrated this therapy can effectively reset abnormal brain activity associated with Parkinson’s Disease.
Peter Tass, an MJFF grantee and member of this research team, found that vibration could help desynchronize neuron firing patterns – much like Charcot used long, bumpy rides to assist his patients – using sensors on glove and shoe sole sensors combined with flexible 3D printed cylindrical devices that vibrated. The team devised an instrument combining sensors on glove and sole sensors combined with vibration devices within flexible cylindrical 3D printer cylinders for this study.
Benefits
Northern New Mexico University engineering students have created vibrating gloves that may alleviate some symptoms associated with Parkinson’s disease. The device works by sending signals through wireless Bluetooth technology directly to fingers and palms of wearer. Students believe this device uses similar technology as smartphone headsets in connecting with users’ headsets, and have found it can reduce tremors, stiffness and balance issues as well as freeing of gait – one of the hallmarks of Parkinson’s disease. Researchers plan to test their device at a Texas medical center. Initial anecdotal reports have been encouraging: one patient with early-onset Parkinson’s reported improved mobility after using it. They hope to secure Institutional Review Board approval as well as partner with medical centers so as to evaluate how effectively the glove impacts patients.
Researchers behind this device believe vibration therapy can retrain neurons that misfire in PD. Pilot studies conducted have provided evidence to back this claim up; results of pilot studies show the glove can improve motor symptoms while decreasing abnormal synchronization in the brain associated with PD. Participants wore vibrating gloves for several hours per day during these studies and underwent at-rest EEG tests both before and after wearing these vibrating gloves; results of these tests confirmed their safety as they produced no side effects and increased motor function among PD patients.
Prior to their research being featured on TODAY show, scientists from Kanwar Bhutani’s research team documented significant improvement in his symptoms as soon as wearing their gloves. Furthermore, other patients were also able to walk and engage in other activities after wearing them; although these results are promising more research needs to be completed to prove the gloves’ efficacy.
Researchers believe the vibrating gloves could also be utilized for other conditions, including multiple sclerosis. They are currently working with TechTransfer and Ventures – a university unit dedicated to commercializing innovations – in order to get this device patented. Over time they hope to make the gloves more portable as well as creating an app for monitoring and controlling them via mobile phone.
Side effects
On a recent episode of TODAY show, researchers from Stanford University unveiled vibrating fingertips gloves as an innovative approach to managing Parkinson’s Disease symptoms. Early trials with several dozen participants showed they significantly reduced tremors, slowness and stiffness compared with usual therapy methods; this success has spurred much interest for this new technology – yet it is important that all those living with Parkinson’s understand its limits before giving it any try themselves.
The team is continually refining its design of gloves and other devices developed to treat different aspects of Parkinson’s symptoms. Their ultimate goal is to develop something wearable by people of different sizes and hand strengths – one which also detects when someone attempts to perform certain actions, to help protect against overstimulation of the brain.
For testing their ideas, the team reached out to a local man living with Parkinson’s and asked for feedback on multiple prototypes. He provided valuable input into making devices user-friendly as well as easier for him to wear or take off. Furthermore, they met with him online via Zoom so as to gain more insight into his condition and its effects on him.
Students were inspired by Peter Tass’ research into vibration therapy for Parkinson’s. His studies have demonstrated how using a vibrating glove can reduce Parkinson’s symptoms while altering brain oscillations; now, he uses this glove to investigate “coordinated reset.”
Though pilot studies were encouraging, more clinical trials will be necessary to ascertain just how effective the vibration glove really is. Upcoming studies will target larger groups of patients and vary variables like vibration frequency, length of treatment duration and number of treatments administered – these modifications will enable researchers to more accurately gauge its effect and develop more noninvasive and efficient ways of treating Parkinson’s. Furthermore, researchers hope to include sensors and electrodes into future versions of this device.
Cost
Parkinson’s is not curable, but medications can ease some symptoms and improve quality of life. Vibration therapy has also proven useful as an invasive-free solution for pain and tremors. Vibration therapy works on the principle that vibration can stimulate the nervous system to help reset its natural rhythms and restore nerve cell communication, an essential factor when treating disorders characterized by nerve cell dysfunction. Also, whole body vibration (WBV) therapy can improve motor skills and mobility by stimulating new neural pathways to form. WBV can be an invaluable aid to people living with Parkinson’s, providing increased muscle activity while decreasing tremors. Additionally, medication may help ease anxiety and depression that are symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease. Lifestyle modifications may also help alleviate its symptoms: eating healthily with plenty of fiber and omega-3 fatty acids as well as engaging in low-impact physical activities are just two examples that may slow disease progression while helping individuals maintain independence longer.
Researchers at Stanford Medicine are exploring a glove that vibrates the fingertips to relieve the tremors and stiffness associated with Parkinson’s Disease (PD). While their device is currently in clinical trials, preliminary pilot studies show it may significantly alleviate tremors and other symptoms of PD. If you have had experience with PD it would be wise to consult your physician about whether this treatment option may be right for you.
Emmie Casey and Tomi Kuye from Rice University in Houston created an innovative glove using vibration motors commonly found in wearable devices and smartphones. Lightweight yet comfortable enough for daily tasks, their early prototypes were given to someone living with Parkinson’s Disease who reported positive results; now the team are seeking grant funding for 10 more prototypes that are both more cost-effective and portable than current devices.
This device works by creating vibrations in fingertips connected to sensors and a battery-powered unit, which are then sent through sensors into a battery pack for powering purposes. These vibrations may help disrupt overly-synchronized firing patterns in the brain that lead to Parkinson’s symptoms and restore normal movement; previous small studies have also shown they help relieve symptoms such as tremors, rigidity and bradykinesia in patients.
Safety
Students enrolled in Northern New Mexico College’s (NNMC) engineering program and Espanola Valley High School’s Math, Engineering, Science Achievement (MESA) program are working on an innovative project that could significantly enhance Parkinson’s disease patients’ lives. Working under the supervision of associate professor Steve Cox of NNMC and teachers Janice Badongen Patal-e and Lyne Salero of Espanola Valley High, students created a vibrotactile glove modeled on research from Peter Tass’ lab at Stanford that shows vibrotactile devices can “reset” misfiring neurons within brain and reduce symptoms associated with Parkinson’s.
Participants wore gloves for several hours a day during a pilot study and found that the gloves helped alleviate symptoms associated with Parkinson’s Disease such as tremors, stiffness and slowness. Furthermore, these effects persisted even after taking them off; researchers plan on conducting further clinical trials with larger numbers of participants to establish whether this treatment is both safe and effective.
These gloves are powered by tiny vibration motors similar to those found in smartphones, and feature pressure-sensitive and adjustable sensors similar to smartphones; more pressure on sensors results in an increase in vibration amplitude that can be adjusted according to each user. Rechargeable, they pair easily with phones via Bluetooth wireless technology and even accommodate those wearing prosthetics!
Technology may offer an alternative treatment method, such as acupressure. But it remains too soon to determine whether this device can effectively help those living with Parkinson’s to manage their symptoms without resorting to drugs or brain surgery. Therapists will track each patient’s progress and modify their treatment plans as necessary.
Parkinson’s can cause tremors that lead to falls and other health issues, particularly among older individuals who are more prone to it. A pilot study showed that one device was effective at reducing tremors for 92% of participants; of those experiencing severe symptoms experienced significant improvement with 90% experiencing significant relief; it even helped prevent falls for 40% of patients – all promising results that should be verified before it can be widely adopted by practitioners.