Purpose To monitor the progression of diseases such as Parkinson’s disease (PD) or essential tremor (ET), there is a growing interest in understanding their side effects and continuously monitoring the deterioration or progress of patients’ health conditions. The objective of this study was to investigate the feasibility of a wearable monitoring device constructed from compact MEMS for robust tremor detection in the upper limb using three different storage and monitoring techniques. Method Four subjects (2 PD and 2 ET) with varying stages of disease and treatment willingly provided offline, online, and live modes of tremor data using a low-cost, miniaturized accelerometer and microelectromechanical device. Results The results demonstrated differences in voluntary and non-voluntary characteristics of various activities and the distinct separation between them in the vibration spectrum at the limit of 2 Hz. Online and live monitoring provided the best alternatives to continuous in-home tracking combined with extensive post-processing techniques to detect tremor segments. The findings also highlighted the emergence of noticeable peaks, in the range between 3 and 8 Hz, for the PD’s frequency response, compared to the ET case, where the broadband behavior dominates. Conclusion The possibility of using a dynamic tuned mass damper tuned with dominant peaks to be canceled opens opportunities for PD passive tremor suppression.

Sufferers of onset upper limb tremors find difficulty performing daily tasks due to rapid involuntary movements. Traditional treatments being offered help alleviate symptoms but are costly and can be invasive. Wearable technology advancements have introduced the applications of tremor suppression devices. A low-cost wearable bracelet was developed for sufferers of Parkinson’s disease and essential tremors to target rest and active tremors. Real-life measured tremor spectrums were used as input signals to design a dynamic vibration absorber. An innovative multiple-slot design allowed for multiple frequency suppression in the range of 3–8 Hz. A finite element analysis simulated the response of the upper limb with and without the bracelet. The results showed an overall suppression decreased tremors by up to 68% and targeted suppression decreased tremors by up to 98.2%.