Tremor, characterised by an involuntary and rhythmic movement from reciprocally innervated antagonist muscles, affects millions worldwide, with Essential Tremor (ET) and Parkinson's Disease (PD) being the most prevalent forms. These tremors significantly disrupt daily activities of those affected, fostering feelings of social exclusion and contributing to depression in a substantial number of individuals.

Current treatment options, primarily pharmaceuticals and surgical interventions, are limited in their efficacy and safety. They often offer only partial relief and come with substantial side effects, leading to discontinuation of treatment for many sufferers. This creates an urgent need for more effective and less invasive solutions to improve the quality of life for those experiencing tremors.

An emerging avenue involves wearable external orthoses designed specifically to suppress hand tremors. Orthotic devices are specially designed tools that are worn to support, align, or improve the function of the body part they are applied to. In the context of hand tremors, these devices are designed to stabilize the hand, reducing the impact of tremors on daily activities like writing, eating, or using a phone. Challenges faced by previous prototypes, such as bulkiness and weight, hindered their wearability.

The project
This project addresses the need for a safe, comfortable, ergonomic, lightweight, and effective tremor suppression wearable orthosis. Currently, there are no existing systems which meet these criteria. The aim of this project is to enhance existing orthotic offerings by developing a novel, patient-friendly orthosis to encourage user adoption

The design and functionality of orthotic devices for hand tremors can vary widely, and finding the right balance between utility, comfort, and aesthetics is crucial. Any feedback is invaluable in understanding what works best for potential users, what challenges are faced with current solutions, and what improvements can be made to enhance the quality of life for individuals with hand tremors.