Tremor Retrainer App

Name: Tremor Retrainer App
Author: University of Virginia

University of Virginia

VALIDATED

Shows promise in preliminary research

For:Researchers & AcademicsClinicians & Healthcare Professionals

Free

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App Summary

The Tremor Retrainer is an experimental app for patients with functional tremor that uses auditory cues and visual biofeedback to guide them in matching their wrist movements to a slower, target frequency. A preliminary pilot study (N=3) in pediatric patients established the app's usability and acceptability, with participant feedback used to guide its development. The associated research concludes this entrainment-based approach has potential as an accessible treatment, warranting further investigation in larger clinical trials.

App Screenshots

Detailed Description

Functionality & Mechanism

Developed by neurologists at the University of Virginia and University of Cincinnati, this app delivers an entrainment-based intervention for functional tremor. The system leverages internal smartphone accelerometers to analyze a patient's baseline tremor frequency. It then generates personalized, pulsed auditory cues at a lower frequency for the patient to match with prescribed wrist movements. A visual gauge on the interface provides continuous biofeedback on performance, facilitating motor retraining through a structured, bio-adaptive protocol.

Evidence & Research Context

A preliminary pilot study (N=3) evaluated the usability and acceptability of a one-week protocol in pediatric patients with functional tremor.
The intervention is grounded in the principle of entrainment, adapting a key diagnostic feature of functional tremor into a potential therapeutic strategy.
All participants in the pilot evaluation reported the application was easy to use and could be effective, providing feedback that informed subsequent software development.

Intended Use & Scope

This application is designed exclusively for investigational use by researchers and participants within formal clinical trials. It functions as a potential adjunctive, biofeedback-based therapy for functional tremor. The system is not a validated standalone treatment for general clinical use and must be administered under the supervision of qualified research personnel.

Studies & Publications

1 publication

Peer-reviewed research associated with this app.

Pilot/Feasibility Study

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

Garris et al. (2023) · Tremor and Other Hyperkinetic Movements

Feasibility confirmed — all three patients found the app easy to use and potentially effective.

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.