Essential tremor (ET): non-drug treatment

Written and reviewed by Dr Ibrahim Imam, Consultant Neurologist. Last reviewed .

Essential tremor (ET): non-drug treatment. This has Level C evidence: it is possibly effective. Fully referenced neurology checklist.

Deep brain stimulation (DBS)

  • This has Level C evidence: it is possibly effective
  • The target is the ventral intermediate nucleus of the thalamus
  • It may be complicated by progressive gait ataxia
  • The efficacy diminishes with time

Gamma knife thalamotomy (stereotactic radiosurgery)

Locked: subscribe to see this section.

MRI-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) thalamotomy

Locked: subscribe to see this section.

Other treatments

Locked: subscribe to see this section.

Investigational treatments

Locked: subscribe to see this section.

References

  1. Zesiewicz TA, Elble RJ, Louis ED, et al. Evidence-based guideline update: treatment of essential tremor. Report of the Quality Standards Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology. Neurology 2011; 77:1752-1755.
  2. Deuschl G, Raethjen J, Hellriegel H, Elbe R. Treatment of patients with essential tremor. Lancet Neurol 2011; 10:148-161.
  3. Zhang K, Bhatia S, Oh MY, Cohen D, Angle C, Whiting D. Long-term results of thalamic deep brain stimulation for essential tremor. J Neurosurg 2010; 112:1271-1276.
  4. Reich MM, Brumberg J, Pozzi NG, et al. Progressive gait ataxia following deep brain stimulation for essential tremor: adverse effect or lack of efficacy? Brain 2016; pii: aww223 (Epub ahead of print).
  5. Paschen S, Forstenpointner J, Becktepe J, et al. Long-term efficacy of deep brain stimulation for essential tremor: an observer-blinded study. Neurology 2019; 92:e1378-e1386. 
  6. And 11 more. Subscribe to see the full list

Related checklists

Loading...