CLEMPTS
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Closed-Loop Electronic Stimulation (ES)- Mechanomyogram Sensor (MMG) system for Passive Tremor Suppression
IRAS ID
296113
Contact name
Francesca Morgante
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
St George’s University of London
ISRCTN Number
ISRCTN10416636
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Background
Tremor is the most common movement disorder in the world, affecting nearly 1 in 10 people over 60. Numbers in the UK and worldwide are predicted to skyrocket according to population aging projections. Tremor current has no "cure" and a severe quality-of-life impact, making simple activities of living (e.g. eating, dressing, grooming, etc.) difficult or impossible. Furthermore, tremor causes social embarrassment and stigmatization which often determine need for psychological aid. Tremor support in the UK is not proportional to the lifestyle and financial impact on its sufferers.
Symptomatic treatment relies on oral medication or neurosurgery. Drug treatment is expensive, minimally effective and provokes side-effects often leading to withdrawal. Neurosurgery is risky, invasive, expensive, and reserved to a minority of patients (3%).Aims
We will develop and clinically test a simple wearable armband that senses and suppresses tremor by delivering tiny (unable to be felt) electrical stimulation (ES) to the forearm or wrist. The armband may be worn indefinitely, thus offering the potential for constant tremor suppression. Our team has already developed constituent elements of the system and proven their ability to sense and suppress tremor. This study has the potential to replace and/or augment current tremor treatment, eliminate side-effects, and improve quality-of-life for a very large patient population.REC name
London - Stanmore Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
22/LO/0689
Date of REC Opinion
6 Dec 2022
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion