Vibrating chair may ease symptoms of Parkinson's Disease

November 08, 2010|from KY3 News | lrose@ky3.com

Medications provide some symptom relief for Parkinson's Disease patients. A new study, however, is creating a buzz in the neurology community for its unique, non-drug approach.
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The non-stop tremor in Dale Voelker's arm is a constant reminder of his Parkinson's Disease.

"It's aggravating more than anything. And you have a hard time writing, eating. Like ,if I was to try to eat a bowl of soup right now, I don't think I'd hit my mouth," said Voelker.

Though medications help ease the symptoms, doctors would prefer other options.

"We have plenty of medication available, but many of our medications have some sort of side effect or another," said neurologist Dr. Sachin Kapur.

So Rush University neurologists looked to the past for inspiration. Back in the 1800s, a French physician named Jean-Martin Charcot noticed patient symptoms seemed better after train or carriage rides.

"So he took these observations and constructed his own rudimentary chair with a motor on it that physically shook the entire body," said Kapur.

In a modern spin, researchers are testing Charcot's theory with a vibrating lounge chair.

"The patient is expected to lie in this chair for 30 minutes, every day, for four weeks," said Dr. Kapur.

Sound waves are piped to a loudspeaker inside the chair, creating strong bass vibrations.

"It's different; it's very intense," said Voelker.

Although the study is still in progress, Kapur has theories on the vibrations' effects.

"We know there are tremor generators in the brain and. whether this is influencing those somehow or is it just a general relaxation, it's kind of a guessing game."

They're good vibrations that could potentially ease the symptoms of Parkinson's.

If the vibration chair is proven to help, the doctor stresses it is not going to replace the use of medicines. It would only be an additional therapy to help patients cope with their symptoms.

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