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\nBy Dr. Janice Sallitt, PT, DPT, NCS \/ JVS Rehab.<\/p>\n
\nBy Dr. Janice Sallitt, PT, DPT, NCS \/ JVS Rehab.<\/p>\n
The answer to the above question is not a simple yes or no! <\/p>\n
As is often the case, it depends on several factors: one of them being where the tremor is located in an individual. The most current medical view is that Essential Tremor (ET) is a syndrome, with tremor being the most obvious symptom. In some cases, it may be the only symptom. <\/p>\n
Recent research has shown that tremor of only 1 arm did not show increased risk for imbalance; tremor of the head, jaw, and\/or voice did show increased imbalance and fall risk.<\/p>\n
Another factor in increased fall risk and\/or increased imbalance in a person with ET is age. Persons with ET who are older than age 70 also correlated with increased imbalance and higher fall risk. <\/p>\n
At this time, there is little evidence to show the effects of a physical therapy balance\/fall prevention program in people with ET; however, in other neurological syndromes, there is a significant amount of evidence over the past 2-3 decades showing decreased fall risk. There is an assumption that, if studied, there would be a high probability that a similar physical therapy program to address the balance deficits would help to lower fall risk. <\/p>\n
I hope you find this information helpful and that we can begin much needed studies in this area of ET.<\/p>\n
(The above information was a summary of my June 2nd talk to the ET support group in Howard County, MD.)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"