Development and Pilot Testing of the Tremor Retrainer Smartphone Application for the Treatment of Functional Tremor

Abstract

Background: Functional tremor is a common and disabling condition with limited treatment options. A prior proof-of-concept pilot study sought to translate entrainment, a key diagnostic feature of functional tremor, into a treatment strategy. Methods: The Tremor Retrainer smartphone application was developed though a collaboration between neurologists and a software engineer. It analyzes data from smartphone accelerometers to measure baseline tremor frequency, then provides auditory cues at a lower frequency for the patient to match with flexion-extension movements at the wrist. The application provides continuous biofeedback on performance via a visual gauge. Patients with functional tremor underwent a one-week treatment protocol with the Tremor Retrainer application and provided feedback on usability and acceptability to guide software programming. Results: Three pediatric patients completed the one-week protocol and their feedback was used to modify the software. All patients felt that the application was easy to use and could be effective in treating functional tremor. Discussion: The Tremor Retrainer smartphone application uses auditory cues and a visual gauge to provide a personalized and widely accessible entrainment-based intervention. Pilot testing in pediatric patients provided key feedback for application design. Highlights: The Tremor Retrainer smartphone application modulates functional tremor frequency by providing pulsed auditory cues for a patient to match with wrist flexion-extension movements while receiving continuous biofeedback via a visual gauge. This adaption of the diagnostic sign of entrainment has potential as an accessible treatment for patients with functional tremor.