How Does The Parkinson's Spoon Work? [Helpful Guide]

If your doctor recommended a Parkinson’s Spoon for Hand Tremors, or you just came across them while browsing the net, you may be wondering that!

Below, we’ll go over exactly how these special “liftware” utensils help those with tremors eat more safely and easily.

Let’s get started!

READ MORE: Top 3 Parkinson’s Spoon You Should Consider

Table of Contents

How Does the Parkinson’s Spoon Work to People Eat?

Involuntary movement, or unwanted tremor, is a common disease symptom of Parkinson’s disease and affects every patient’s daily living.

Self stabilizing spoon technology was used to improve cutlery a few years back, and the benefits were truly astounding.

These assistive feeding devices provide independence for people with Parkinson’s disease to regain independence and strengthen muscle control and have become known as the Parkinson’s spoon.

Multiple companies now offer utensil weight sets that help people with tremors who are coping with Parkinson’s health condition.

A battery-operated liftware utensil device for people with Parkinson’s disease was designed in 2014 as a living aid for Parkinson’s patients.

So, how does this care product improve the quality of life? For that answer, we need to understand the different types of tremors.

Related: Best Weighted Gloves for Tremors

3 Types of Parkinson’s Spoons

According to a study, persons with Parkinson’s disease who use these spoons have their tremors reduced by 76%.

An anti-shake Parkinson’s spoon comes with sensors, attachments, and an electronic handle as well as a microchip.

We provided below the Parkinson’s spoons you should definitely check out.

man eating a soup using a Parkinson spoon

1. Self-Stabilizing Gyenno’s Parkinson’s Spoon

Its non-slip ergonomic shape makes it comfortable to grasp. This device weighs 130 grams, making it the ideal size for Parkinson’s patients, and reduces 85% of unwanted tremors.

As it is made of medical-grade silicones, you can guarantee that your utensils are safe!

Moreover, it helps conserve energy because of its automated sleep mode when it senses that no one is using it at the moment.

2. Liftware Steady Utensil Starter Kit

For people whose tremors have not yet worsened, this spoon is excellent (not recommended for severe tremors).

You also get a soup spoon, a joint spoon, and a fork all together with this set. It is equipped with sensors to measure unconscious hand movements, a microprocessor, and a motor to counteract such motions.

More importantly, a liftware spoon can reduce trembling by as much as 70%.

3. Special Supplies Adaptive Utensil

The set comes with four utensils: a fork, a knife, a dinner spoon, and a soup spoon. These utensils are wider and have ribbed handles to improve grip control and stability.

These are stainless steel utensils, which provide longevity and functionality. However, these adaptive utensils are non-weighted which is disadvantageous for persons with Parkinson’s, though, its ergonomic design provides a stronger grip.

What Are the Different Types of Tremors?

To fully understand the arm movement assessment and how the weighted utensil works, I elaborated on common disease symptoms.

I’ve included videos to help explain each one in a bit more detail.

Essential Tremor

Essential tremor is a neurological disorder characterized by rhythmic shaking, most commonly affecting the hands, but it can also impact the head, voice, legs, or trunk.

Unlike other tremors, essential tremor is typically action-induced, meaning it occurs during voluntary movements such as writing or eating.

It can range from mild to severe and often worsens with stress, fatigue, or caffeine intake. The exact cause of essential tremor is unknown, but it is believed to have a genetic component, often running in families.

Diagnosis is mainly clinical, based on the patient’s medical history and physical examination, and it is important to rule out other conditions such as Parkinson’s disease. Treatment options include medications, lifestyle changes, and in some cases, surgical interventions like deep brain stimulation to manage symptoms and improve quality of life.

Sources:

Mayo Clinic. “Essential tremor.” Mayo Clinic

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). “Essential Tremor.” NINDS

Check out the video below for examples:

Dystonic Tremor

Dystonic tremor is a type of tremor that occurs in people who have dystonia, a movement disorder characterized by involuntary muscle contractions that cause repetitive movements or abnormal postures.

This tremor typically affects body parts that are also impacted by dystonia, such as the neck (cervical dystonia), hands, or vocal cords.

Dystonic tremor often shows as irregular, jerky movements and may be position-specific, occurring only in certain postures or activities. The severity and frequency of the tremor can vary widely.

Diagnosis involves identifying the underlying dystonia through clinical examination and patient history. Treatment for dystonic tremor focuses on managing dystonia and may include medications, botulinum toxin injections, physical therapy, and in some cases, surgical interventions like deep brain stimulation.

Sources:

Mayo Clinic. “Dystonia.” Mayo ClinicThis video does a good job of explaining it:

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). “Dystonia.” NINDS

Cerebellar Tremor

Cerebellar tremor is a type of tremor that arises due to damage or dysfunction in the cerebellum, the part of the brain responsible for coordinating voluntary movements.

This tremor is typically slow and pronounced, occurring during purposeful movements, such as reaching for an object, and often becomes more severe as the “target” is approached. This characteristic is known as intention tremor.

Cerebellar tremor can affect the limbs, trunk, and even the vocal cords, leading to impaired motor coordination and speech difficulties.

Causes of cerebellar tremor include stroke, multiple sclerosis, tumors, chronic alcoholism, and other degenerative diseases. Diagnosis involves neurological examinations, imaging studies such as MRI or CT scans, and evaluating the patient’s medical history.

Treatment options are limited and mainly focus on managing the cause, physical therapy to improve motor skills, and in some cases, medications or surgical interventions to alleviate symptoms.

Sources:

Mayo Clinic. “Cerebellar tremor.” Mayo ClinicThe video below focuses on this type of tremor in relation to Parkinson’s disease.

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). “Tremor.” NINDS

Psychogenic Tremor

Psychogenic tremor is a type of tremor that comes from psychological rather than neurological causes. It is characterized by involuntary, rhythmic muscle movements that can affect any part of the body but are most commonly seen in the hands.

Unlike other types of tremors, psychogenic tremor often varies in frequency and intensity and may disappear when the sufferer is distracted or focused on a different task. It is associated with underlying psychological conditions such as anxiety, depression, or conversion disorder.

Diagnosis typically involves ruling out other neurological causes and may include psychological evaluation. Treatment often focuses on addressing the underlying psychological issues through therapy, stress management techniques, and, in some cases, medication.

Sources

Mayo Clinic. “Functional movement disorder.” Mayo Clinic

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). “Tremor.” NINDS

Parkinsonian Tremor

Parkinsonian tremor is a common symptom of Parkinson’s disease, a progressive neurological disorder that affects movement. This type of tremor is typically characterized by a rhythmic shaking that often starts in one hand or arm and can spread to other parts of the body as the disease progresses.

Unlike other tremors, Parkinsonian tremor is most noticeable at rest and tends to decrease with voluntary movement, only to reappear when the muscles are relaxed. It usually presents as a “pill-rolling” motion, where the thumb and forefinger move in a circular pattern.

The tremor can also affect the legs, chin, and other parts of the body. The exact cause is related to the degeneration of dopamine-producing neurons in the brain, which disrupts normal motor control.

Diagnosis is primarily clinical, based on the characteristic symptoms and response to Parkinson’s medication. Treatment includes medications like levodopa, which helps replenish dopamine levels, as well as other therapeutic approaches to manage symptoms.

Sources:

Mayo Clinic. “Parkinson’s disease.” Mayo Clinic

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). “Parkinson’s Disease.” NINDS

Check: 45 Parkinson’s Friendly Gifts

How is Tremor Treated?

While most tremors are incurable, there are ways to manage symptoms. In certain circumstances, mild symptoms do not necessitate treatment.

Finding the right treatment requires precise cause identification. Treatment for serious health problems can occasionally alleviate or eliminate tremors.

Once diagnosed, your doctor determines the best course of action. There’s really no “one size fits all” Parkinson’s treatment.

Some patients do well with physical therapy and lifestyle modifications, while others require surgery.

Regardless of treatment (or rather, alongside it) though, doctors often recommend certain aids to help make life easier. Among them, the Parkinson’s spoon.

Weighted utensils are one of the most essential aids for those with Parkinson’s disease. Given the weight of the utensils, it keeps your hands from shaking.

These Weighted Utensils include ergonomic designs that help alleviate tremors, giving more muscle strength, and assists those with sensory problems to have postural control.

3 Types of Parkinson’s Spoons

According to a study, persons with Parkinson’s disease who use these spoons have their tremors reduced by 76%.

An anti-shake Parkinson’s spoon comes with sensors, attachments, and an electronic handle as well as a microchip.

We provided below the Parkinson’s spoons you should definitely check out.

1. Self-Stabilizing Gyenno’s Parkinson’s Spoon

Its non-slip ergonomic shape makes it comfortable to grasp. This device weighs 130 grams, making it the ideal size for Parkinson’s patients, and reduces 85% of unwanted tremors.

As it is made of medical-grade silicones, you can guarantee that your utensils are safe!

Moreover, it helps conserve energy because of its automated sleep mode when it senses that no one is using it at the moment.