ET Stigma Response to Tremor Suppression With Focused Ultrasound Thalamotomy

Essential Tremor (ET) is prevalent, affecting approximately 3% of the adult population. Involuntary shaking of the hands during action is a prominent feature, interfering with feeding and writing and other manual tasks. The involuntary movement is visible to observers, some of whom misinterpret the shakiness as manifestation of anxiety or instability, while some other observers attribute it to alcohol or drug use. The psychological effects of resulting stigma on quality of life for people with ET can rival the physical difficulties caused by the condition.

For this study, we propose to measure 1 year after effective tremor suppression following thalamotomy with high intensity focused ultrasound changes from baseline in psychological distress and social dysfunction related to ET stigma, and to correlate change from baseline with improvement in functional status related to tremor and in objective measures of tremor severity. We hope to discover that ET stigma is largely reversible when tremor is effectively treated, and we aim to learn what degree of tremor suppression correlates with substantial psychological relief. We will also determine if ET stigma is predominantly helped by unilateral dominant-hand treatment, or if the second side treatment is necessary to accomplish most benefit.