First, what is Essential Tremor?

Essential tremor, also known as primary tremor, is a common movement disorder. Over 60 million people worldwide are affected by this condition[1]. The primary clinical manifestation of essential tremor is tremors in the hands, arms, and other parts of the body during postural or action movements, along with tremors in the lower limbs, head, facial muscles, and voice. According to the "White Paper on Tremor Patients in China," the prevalence of essential tremor in the population is about 0.9%, and it increases with age. The prevalence is approximately 4.6% in individuals aged 65 and older[2].

Essential tremor generally does not affect life expectancy, but uncontrollable tremor symptoms often interfere with the patient's ability to perform daily activities and disrupt their work and social life, severely impacting their quality of life. In recent years, more studies have shown that, in addition to motor symptoms, essential tremor patients may also experience psychological disorders, insomnia, cognitive decline, and other non-motor symptoms[3]. Among them, 67% of patients have an increased risk of depression[4], 49% stop engaging in hobbies and social activities[5], and 60% either avoid seeking jobs or give up promotions[6].

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What are the current treatment methods for Essential Tremor?

Currently, the treatment of essential tremor mainly consists of medication and surgical options. While medication remains the first choice for most patients, approximately 50% of patients either develop a tolerance to the medication or do not respond to it[7]. Therefore, surgical treatments that can significantly improve tremor symptoms and enhance the patient's quality of life have become an essential option.

With advancements in medical technology, a highly discussed new option, the brain "Magnetic Wave Knife" surgery, has brought new hope for tremor patients. Compared to previous high-risk, invasive surgeries that required craniotomy, the brain "Magnetic Wave Knife" surgery combines focused ultrasound with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). It first uses MRI to precisely locate the treatment target, and then high-intensity focused ultrasound is used to ablate the lesion to achieve the desired therapeutic effect. Patients remain fully awake during the procedure, allowing doctors to communicate with them throughout the process, providing a more accurate and effective treatment.

According to a study published in the Journal of Neurosurgery in August 2022 titled "Non-invasive MRI-guided Focused Ultrasound Treatment for Essential Tremor: 5-Year Follow-Up Results"[8], a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled multicenter trial was conducted. In this trial, 75 patients with moderate to severe essential tremor were treated using the ExAblate Neuro (the first FDA-approved MRI-guided focused ultrasound device). The study followed up with these patients for five years after treatment.

The results showed that, after undergoing brain "Magnetic Wave Knife" surgery, the tremor in the affected limbs continued to improve over the five-year follow-up period. Compared to the baseline (pre-treatment condition), the improvement rate remained between 72.6% and 77%. Notably, by the fifth year post-surgery, the improvement rate remained at 73.1%. This highlights the significant and lasting effects of the Magnetic Wave Knife surgery.

　

The brain "Magnetic Wave Knife" surgery, with its advantages of being non-invasive, not requiring craniotomy, no implants, low risk, quick recovery, and good prognosis, significantly reduces the psychological burden on patients and has been favored by both doctors and patients.

As the seventh hospital in the country to introduce the Magnetic Wave Knife treatment, Beijing GoBroad Hospital has started offering brain "Magnetic Wave Knife" treatments, providing new treatment options for patients with drug-resistant essential tremor and Parkinson's disease with tremor as the primary symptom.

　

Magnetic Wave Knife Treatment Consultation Guide

1. Pre-consultation Preparation To facilitate the consultation, it is recommended to prepare a document that describes the condition in advance, to help with communication and diagnosis, making the consultation smoother. Please refer to the following content and record it in writing.

① Record the development of the condition and the current symptoms.

• How did the tremor start? (e.g., sudden onset, gradual onset, etc.)
• Where did the symptoms first appear, and what is the development trend?
• Is the "tremor" different at rest and during movement?
• How long do the tremor symptoms typically last?
• Are the symptoms affected by factors like stress, alcohol, etc.?

② Have you used any treatments or measures to alleviate the tremor symptoms? If yes, please list all of them.

③ Describe your family medical history. Do any family members have tremors or other neurological diseases?

④ The impact of tremors on daily life and mental health.

⑤ Any other questions you would like to ask the doctor or learn more about.

1. Appointment Registration Beijing GoBroad Hospital offers brain "Magnetic Wave Knife" treatment for clinical management of essential tremor or Parkinson's disease. Magnetic Wave Knife surgery is a non-invasive surgical method with advantages such as no need for craniotomy, no implants, low risk, and quick recovery after surgery. To make an appointment, please visit the neurosurgery outpatient clinic. There are three ways to register for an appointment:
2. Phone Appointment: 400-696-2000
3. Mini Program Appointment: Scan the QR code to enter the "GoBroad Health" mini program
4. WeChat Appointment: Scan the QR code to add the official customer service WeChat

　

3. Consultation

Please bring all necessary documents (including your personal medical insurance card, previous medical records, or recent examination reports) and arrive at the hospital ahead of your scheduled appointment time. If you have any questions, please add the assistant's WeChat for consultation.

The expert team from the Neurosurgery Department at Beijing GoBroad Hospital has already provided brain Magnetic Wave Knife treatment for multiple essential tremor patients and Parkinson's disease patients with tremor as the main symptom. These patients have made a quick return to normal life post-surgery, with significant therapeutic effects and high praise from the patients.

 

　　参考资料：

　　[1]Welton,T,Cardoso,F,Carr,J.A.等人.Essential tremor.Nat Rev Dis Primers 7,83(2021).

　　https://www.nature.com/articles/s41572-021-00314-w

　　[2]香港大学深圳医院，SIMC，Insightec.中国震颤患者白皮书——迈向无创未来

　　[3]南昌大学第二附属医院，张芳，徐婷，罗春香.心理护理对特发性震颤患者的情绪及生活质量研究

　　[4]Dingwei Dai.Ali Samiian,Henriette Coetzer,Joaquim Fernandes.Increased Healthcare Cost and Mental Health Burden among Patients with Essential Tremor:A Retrospective Observational Study in A Large US Commercially Insured and Medicare Advantage Population(P15-11.007).3/5/2022.

　　https://n.neurology.org/content/98/18_Supplement/3207

　　[5]数据来自第三方；Opinion.2021年12月由医视特（Insightec）委托对253名确诊的特发性震颤患者进行的调查

　　[6]Louis ED,Okun Ms.lt is time to remove the'benign'from the essential tremor label.Parkinsonism Relat Disord.2011 Aug;17(7):516-20.doi:10.1016/j.parkreldis.2011.03.012.Epub 2011.4.12.PMID:21486707;PMCID:PMC3137726

　　[7]Zesiewicz TA,Elbe R,Louis ED,等人.循证指南更新版:特发性震颤的治疗:Report of the Quality Standards Subcommittee of the American Academy of neurology,Neurology.2011.

　　[8]G.Rees Cosgrove,MD,Nir Lipsman,MD,PhD,Andres M.Lozano,MD,PhD,and others.《无创磁共振引导聚焦超声治疗特发性震颤：5年随访结果》[J].《神经外科杂志》刊载论文，2022,138(4):1028–1033

　　（文章来源：磁波刀关爱平台）