Weighted Utensils

Weighted Utensils: Are they effective?  Weighted utensils are “Branded” in the minds of Occupational Therapists as an effective intervention for individuals with Parkinson’s Disease or other neurological conditions resulting in tremors that impact the ability to perform self feeding tasks.  Independent eating may be difficult or impossible for some individuals. The underlying theory for their use is that a weighted utensil will provide increased proprioceptive input to the brain, so that the user has a better idea of where their hand is in space and that this will result in less tremor activity. 

Medical professionals have for some time been employing “Evidence Based” research to justify their treatment.  Let’s examine what research indicates with respect to Weighted Utensils.  In a 2009 study published in Clinical Rehabilitation 23: 1086-1092, the authors examined the effectiveness of weighted utensils on tremor activity with 18 Patients with Parkinsons Disease. 

Their conclusion was that lightweight utensils actually produced smoother movements than weighted utensils!  In a 2002 study also in Clinical Rehabilitation 16:481-92. The authors also reached the conclusion that there was no improvement on tremor activity and self feeding ability with the use of weighted utensils. 

There is a relatively new strategy called Active Cancellation of Tremors (ACT) that shows some promise.  In a 2014 study published in Movement Disorder May 29 (6) 838-842 tremor amplitude was reduced with the use of an electronic utensil that senses tremor activity and activates a mechanism that moves the utensil in the opposite direction of the tremor.  This has been developed into a commercially available product called the Liftware Steady.  More information is available at:  www.liftware.com.

In conclusion, there is no research evidence to support the effectiveness of weighted utensils in reducing tremor activity during the self care task of utensil use during self feeding.

Therapists should at a minimum let patients know that there is a lack of supporting evidence for their effectiveness if they are trying weighted utensils with their patients.  In this way patients can at least avoid self blame if the intervention is not successful. Post Update on 4-14-22: We have opened our online adaptive eating aids shop. Post Update 9-17. We are currently developing an assistive eating device that will help people with Parkinsons who have difficulty with utensil use at mealtime, the Chill Spill

Please visit our Blog of 9-17 for more information. We invite you to visit our online adaptive eating aids shop at your convenience and feel free to contact us at anytime. Update to Weighted Utensils post 10-17-22. We are currently developing the “Chill Spill” tm, a patent pending eating device for Parkinson’s and Essential Tremor and anyone who has difficulty managing utensils due to tremor activity at mealtime. Update: 2-24 ChillSpill should be available in our adaptive eating aids shop soon.

Chill Spill catches any liquid or solid food that spills from the spoon or fork. Solid food can be scooped against the handy rim and liquid food is routed back into the bowl. Additional side supports can be used as a guide for the wrist during plate to mouth movements. We hope to have Chill Spill available by the end of 2022. Post update: 11/26/2022 we have a new page for ChillSpill you can access here.

References: Ma HI, Hwang WJ, Tsai PL, Hsu YW. The effect of eating utensil weight on functional arm movement in people with Parkinson’s disease: a controlled clinical trial. Clin Rehabil. 2009 Dec;23(12):1086-92. doi: 10.1177/0269215509342334. PMID: 19906764. Meshak, R., Norman, K. “A Randomized controlled trial of the effects of weights on amplitude and frequency of postural hand tremor in people with Parkinson’s Disease” Clinical Rehabilitation 2002: 16: 481-492. Paathak A, Redmond J, Allen M, Chou K. “A noninvasive hand held assistive device to accomodate essential tremor: a pilot study” Movement Disorders May 2014, vol 24 issue 6, 838-842.