Tremor, or shaking, is a symptom that can come in a variety of forms. The most common associated conditions are essential (familial) tremor and Parkinson's disease. In both cases, therapeutic options, especially pharmacological ones, are limited. 

Long before modern pharmacotherapy, mechanical methods were tried in the 19th century, but were not pursued because of the technical possibilities at the time.

Now, with modern mechatronics, we have the opportunity to pursue these approaches further. Several devices have now been developed that attempt to treat tremor with vibrations, some of which are already successfully in clinical use.

Neurologist and Parkinson's specialist Dieter Volc from Vienna will report on the background and the different types of therapy in this NeuroCast.

The mechanical therapy of tremor