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Navigating life with essential tremor: tips for patients and caregivers

An older couple and a child bake together in a bright, modern kitchen.

Essential tremor (ET) is a neurological condition that causes involuntary, rhythmic shaking — most often in the hands, but it can also affect the head or voice. While ET is not life-threatening, it can make everyday activities like eating, writing, or speaking more challenging.

Managing life with ET often involves a combination of lifestyle strategies, medical care, and support. Here are practical ways to help manage symptoms and improve day-to-day life.

Managing your day-to-day life

Make lifestyle adjustments

Stress can make your tremors worse. Finding ways to manage stress is an essential part of symptom control. Try practicing relaxation techniques like deep breathing, meditation, or yoga. Getting enough sleep and reducing your caffeine or alcohol intake can also help keep your tremors from worsening.1

Use assistive devices

Simple tools and adaptations can make daily tasks more manageable. For example, weighted utensils or cups may help steady your hands while eating, and voice-activated devices can make it easier to control your environment. An occupational therapist can recommend personalized strategies and tools to support your independence.

Exploring your medical options

Medication management

Your doctor may start by prescribing medications, like beta-blockers or anti-seizure drugs. These can help reduce your shaking and improve your quality of life. Always talk to your doctor about the best medication plan for your specific needs.

Deep Brain Stimulation

Over time, medications may lose their effectiveness or cause exhausting side effects. If this happens, Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) might be an option.

DBS is a safe and effective therapy used to help manage severe ET.2 It works by sending gentle electrical signals to your brain. This helps interrupt the irregular signals causing your tremors.



Our Vercise Genus™ DBS System uses advanced MICC technology and directional leads. This allows your doctor to "steer" the therapy exactly where you need it. Boston Scientific’s Vercise Genus DBS System is designed around you, offering MRI compatibility and flexible battery choices to fit your lifestyle.

Advice for caregivers and loved ones

Provide emotional support

Living with a progressive condition can be frustrating. Caregivers play a vital role in providing a supportive environment. Take time to educate your broader circle of family and friends about essential tremor. This helps everyone understand the daily challenges your loved one faces.

Advocate for better care

Family members often notice when current treatments are no longer working. You can help your loved one's doctor understand how severely they are limited by their tremors or medication side effects. This, combined with helpful resources like our Doctor Discussion Guide, can help start important conversations about advanced treatment options like DBS.

Find your community

You do not have to navigate this journey alone. Joining a support group or attending learning opportunities, like webinars and in–person events, can help you and your loved one connect with others who truly understand. You can share your experiences, learn about new treatments, and get emotional support.

Is DBS right for you?

See if you qualify for Boston Scientific’s personalized DBS therapy.

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References

  1. Mayo Clinic. Essential tremor - Diagnosis and treatment.
  2. OHSU Brain Institute. DBS for Essential Tremor.

Indications for Use:
The Boston Scientific Vercise™ PC, Vercise Gevia™, Vercise Genus™ Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) Systems are indicated for use in the following:

• Bilateral stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) as an adjunctive therapy in reducing some of the symptoms of moderate to advanced levodopa-responsive Parkinson’s disease (PD) that are not adequately controlled with medication.

• Bilateral stimulation of the internal globus pallidus (GPi) as an adjunctive therapy in reducing some of the symptoms of advanced levodopa-responsive Parkinson’s disease (PD) that are not adequately controlled with medication.

• Unilateral thalamic stimulation of the ventral intermediate nucleus (VIM) is indicated for the suppression of tremor in the upper extremity. The system is intended for use in patients who are diagnosed with essential tremor or parkinsonian tremor not adequately controlled by medications and where the tremor constitutes a significant functional disability.

• Bilateral stimulation of the ventral intermediate nucleus (VIM) of the thalamus for the suppression of disabling upper extremity tremor in adult essential tremor patients whose tremor is not adequately controlled by medications and where the tremor constitutes a significant functional disability.

Intended Use:

The Boston Scientific Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) Systems are intended to treat movement disorders by stimulating a specific brain target.

The Vercise™ DBS Controller is intended to communicate with and control the compatible Boston Scientific Stimulator.

The Charger is a medical device that is intended to charge the battery of the compatible Boston Scientific rechargeable Stimulator.

Contraindications: The Boston Scientific Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) Systems are not recommended for patients who will be exposed to the following procedures: Diathermy as either a treatment for a medical condition or as part of a surgical procedure, Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS). The safety of these therapies in patients implanted with the Boston Scientific DBS System has not been established. Patients implanted with Boston Scientific DBS Systems without ImageReady™ MRI Technology should not be exposed to Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Patients implanted with the Vercise Gevia or Vercise Genus or Vercise Genus Mixed System with M8 Adapter or Vercise DBS Lead-Only System (before Stimulator is implanted) with ImageReady MRI Technology are Full Body MR Conditional only when exposed to the MRI environment under the specific conditions defined in ImageReady MRI Guidelines for Boston Scientific DBS Systems. The external/non-implantable components of the Vercise Genus DBS System (Charging System, Remote Control, mobile device with Vercise DBS Controller, and accessories) are MR Unsafe. Do not take them into any MRI environment.
Boston Scientific DBS Systems are not recommended for patients who are unable to operate the system or are poor surgical candidates or who experience unsuccessful test stimulation.

Warnings: With all medical procedures, there are risks associated with the procedure and the use of the device. Unauthorized modification to the medical devices is prohibited. You should not be exposed to high stimulation levels. High level of stimulation may damage brain tissue. Patients implanted with a Boston Scientific DBS System may be at risk for intracranial hemorrhages (bleeding in the brain) during DBS lead placement. Strong electromagnetic fields, such as power generators, security screeners or theft detection systems, can potentially turn the stimulator off, or cause unpredictable changes in stimulation. The system should not be charged while sleeping. If you notice new onset or worsening depression, changes in mood or behavior or impulse control, or have thoughts of suicide contact your physician or emergency services immediately. You should use caution when doing activities that require coordination, even if you were able to do them before receiving therapy (for example, swimming). Patients should exercise reasonable caution when bathing. Chemical burns may result if the Stimulator housing is ruptured or pierced. The Boston Scientific DBS Systems may interfere with the operation of implanted stimulation devices, such as cardiac pacemakers, implanted cardioverter defibrillators, or medication delivery pumps. Patients should operate motorized vehicles or potentially dangerous machinery with caution. It is unknown whether the DBS device may cause complications with pregnancy. Do not use the Vercise™ DBS Controller while the mobile device is charging. The effect of using the Vercise DBS Controller while charging the mobile device has not been evaluated.



Be sure to talk with your doctor so that you thoroughly understand all of the risks, precautions, and benefits associated with the use of the device and what indicates, and contraindicates, certain patients– as well as the risks and precautions for the procedure. For complete indications for use, contraindications, warnings, precautions, and side effects, see DBSandME.com or call 833-DBS-INFO or 833-327-4636.



CAUTION: U.S. Federal law  restricts this device to sale by or on the order of a physician.

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