A prototype wrist device delivers electrical impulses to reduce the number and severity of tics,
The device was developed by scientists fromUniversity of Nottingham and sister company Neurotherapuetics Ltd, which recently received an additional £1m in funding to commercialize the Neupulse device with a goal of releasing the device and app within the next 3 years.
Tourette syndrome (TS) is a developmental disordernervous system, which is usually diagnosed between the ages of eight and 12 years. It causes involuntary sounds and movements called tics. Tics are repetitive, stereotyped movements and vocalizations that occur in bursts, usually many times in a single day, and are often preceded by a strong urge to tic, called an urge alert (AU).
A previous study by scientists fromThe School of Psychology and the School of Medicine at the University of Nottingham used repetitive sequences of electrical stimulation of the median nerve (SNS) at the wrist to induce rhythmic brain electrical activity known as brainwaves associated with motion suppression. They found that rhythmic SNS significantly reduced the frequency and intensity of tics and eliminated the urge to tics in people with Tourette's syndrome.
Test participants used the device at homeat the same time every day for 15 minutes for one month. Some people also filmed videos every day. Each week, participants provided feedback on their experiences.
The results of the study showed that in peoplewho received active stimulation, the severity and frequency of tics decreased significantly. On average, they observed reduction in tic frequency by more than 25% during stimulation.
After using the device for fourweeks in people receiving active stimulation, the severity of tics decreased by more than 35%. Overall, 59% of people who received active stimulation experienced at least a 25% reduction in tic severity compared to baseline.
13-year-old Milo was one of the participantsresearch process. His parents noticed unusual symptoms when he was a toddler, but he was not diagnosed until he was 10 years old, when his tics became more noticeable.
He said:“The device was easy to use - you put it on like a watch and press a button to start it. When stimulation occurs it feels like a hissing sensation on my wrist and forearm, not painful, just a little different.
The device definitely helped my tics.I still had occasional tics when the device was turned on. I definitely want this device when available. I think it can help people with Tourette's in different ways. As for me, I would use it if I was going to the cinema or theater - places where sometimes you need to be quiet or still so as not to disturb people. Tourette's can be very tiring at times, like when you have a tic attack and can't take a break from it - this device can really help with that."
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