Does Exercise Help Essential Tremor?

To help answer the question: Does exercise help essential tremor?, Researchers in 2016 conducted a study entitled: “Resistance Training Reduces Force Tremor and Improves Manual Dexterity in Older Individuals With Essential Tremor.”

The study included 10 subjects with Essential Tremor and 9 controls. This was not a randomized control study and both groups received the same intervention of strength training over a six week period. Specifically, the muscle group strengthening involved the Biceps and Wrist Flexors and Extensors.

The results were that strength and manual dexterity improved in both groups. Force tremor amplitude also improved in the most affected limb of the Essential Tremor Group,

There was also an improvement in eating ability for the most affected limb of the Essential Tremor Group.

So based on this study the answer to Does Exercise Help Essential Tremor? is yes. We recommend consulting with your MD for a referral to Physical Therapy if you have essential tremor and are interested in an exercise program. A Therapist can custom make a home exercise program based on your unique profile. If you do attend therapy you might consider letting the therapist know about this study. We include a reference below. For individuals who have difficulty eating due to tremor activity we are developing an assistive eating aid called the Chill Spill.

The Chill Spill will catch spilled food and route it back to the plate or bowl or trap it in the Chill Spill trough section. Thanks for visiting today and we invite you to contact us at anytime.

Reference: Kavanagh, J. Wedder-Bisshop, J. and Keogh, J. “Resistance Training Reduces Force Tremor and Improves Manual Dexterity in Older Individuals With Essential Tremor” Journal of Motor Behavior: vol. 48 2016. pgs. 26-32