Weighted Utensils Research Review 2

Weighted Utensils:  Research Review 2

In the previous Blog we reviewed a research study that examined the impact of weighted utensils on tremor activity during a self feeding task.  In this study as in the previous study the finding was that the use of weighted utensils provided no benefit in terms of reducing the amplitude of tremors for patients with Parkinson’s disease during the activity of self feeding. This was a randomized control study.  The subjects were sixteen individuals who were experiencing tremors due to Parkinson’s disease.  The task that they performed was holding a spoon in a specified position. The position was slight shoulder flexion and abduction, elbow flexion, forearm mid position and slight wrist extension.  The spoon was held in between the index and the middle fingers with the thumb on top. Movement from tremor activity was then recorded for three conditions:  with a built up spoon weighing 108 grams (control), a weighted spoon of 248 grams and the built up spoon plus a wrist cuff weight of 470 grams. 

The weighted spoon was a commercially available spoon. The authors did not specify the specific brand.  Tremor activity was then recorded using laser sensors.  The results were that there was no significant difference in tremor frequency or amplitude in the weighted vs. non weighted conditions. Here is a quote from the authors in their clinical messages:  “The findings imply that there is no basis for the clinical rehabilitation recommendations to use weighted utensils and weighted wrist cuffs to alleviate postural hand tremor in Parkinson’s disease.”

That is a strong direct statement yet if you search the web for weighted utensils you will find that they are recommended for tremor control both on commercial websites that sell weighted utensils and in Occupational Therapy professional literature.  There are probably over thirty web sites that offer weighted utensils and state that they help with tremor control.  I googled weighted utensils and here are just the first four results with the web sites and their wording about weighted utensils.

www.performancehealth.com  “weighted utensils provide additional weight to help stabilize hand and arm movements for those who experience tremors or shaking when eating.”

www.caregiverproductscom “these weighted utensils help reduce hand tremor.”

www.therapro.com “utensils for people with Parkinson’s Disease and other illnesses that cause tremors in the hand.”

www.walmart.com  “Weighted utensil helps reduce tremors caused by Parkinson’s Disease.”

As I mentioned in the previous Blog this doesn’t mean that clinicians and patients should not try weighted utensils.  It does mean, however, that this research information should also be considered before presenting patients with scenarios where they may not be successful.  Another point is the evidence based elephant in the room! Therapists almost uniformly agree that evidence based practice is an important concept.  How many therapists, however, are actually practicing evidence based treatment? For more information on this topic please also visit our Blog: Weighted Utensils: Are They Effective?

At Canoe Creek Products we developed the Stable Slide eating aid to assist individuals with intention tremors during self feeding. We did not and do not make any claims that the product will be successful with individuals with essential tremor or Parkinson’s Disease. Thanks for visiting today and we invite you to contact us at anytime.

Post Update: 11-18-2022 Research Matters! We are currently developing a new assistive eating device for Parkinson’s and Essential Tremor.

Update: 2-24 The ChillSpill should be available in our adaptive eating aids shop soon!

Chill Spill captures liquid or solid food that escapes from the fork or spoon during plate to mouth movements. Solid food is captured and can be rescooped. Liquids are routed back to the bowl. No spilled food ends up on clothes or the table or floor! We hope to have Chill Spill available in summer 2023.

Reference:                                                                                                                                                 Meshack, R and 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