‘Life-Changing’ Tourette Wrist Device Demonstrates Significant Reduction in Symptoms | Science and technology news

A wrist device for people with Tourette’s syndrome has been described as “life-changing”.

The Neupulse aims to reduce symptoms by delivering electrical stimulation directly into nerves in the wrist.

Singer Lewis Capaldi was among 121 people who tested the device developed at the University of Nottingham afterwards recently shared his own Tourette diagnosis.

Researchers said it helped Capaldi “feel calmer, and the device clearly suppressed head and shoulder movements, which can be quite painful for him.”

The team said that 59% of those who used it saw a reduction in the frequency and severity of their tics after wearing it for just 10 minutes a day for a month.

The results, which were not peer-reviewed, state that there was a “clinically meaningful reduction in tic severity” in the vast majority of participants.

Speaking to the BBC while using the device, Milo, 13, said: “I wouldn’t tick… not nearly as much.

“Sometimes it’s pretty bad, especially when I’m tired, but when I’ve got the device on it’s really a lot better. It’s so helpful.”

Charity Tourettes Action called the device “life-changing.”

Tourette syndrome causes people to make involuntary noises and movements known as tics and often begins in childhood.

It can get worse with stress and anxiety.

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There is no known cure for the condition, which affects more than 300,000 people in the UK, and it can be painful at times.

Tics include shrugging, twitching, blinking. or noises such as coughing, random words, and whistling.

Swearing is often associated with Tourette’s but is a rare symptom.

Neupulse is now seeking regulatory approval for use in the UK and hopes to have the device available in the next few years.