# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Charco Neurotech, a medtech company based in the United Kingdom, has developed CUE1, a non-invasive wearable that is intended to assist those with Parkinson's disease to manage their motor symptoms. The device is typically affixed to the sternum, and provides vibratory action in a focused region of the body. The technology is based on the observation of a doctor in the early 1800s, who noticed that their patients' motor symptoms were significantly reduced when they traveled to their appointments over bumpy roads in a horse and carriage.

The technology also uses cueing to assist patients who might be prone to 'freezing' to increase their mobility. As a drug-free, non-invasive treatment option, the technology has plenty of attractive features for patients who might be willing to try it, and it is currently available in the UK, with plans for expansion soon.

See a video below about the CUE1 and how it works:

Medgadget had the opportunity to speak with Lucy Jung, Co-founder and CEO at Charco Neurotech, about the technology.

Lucy Jung, Charco Neurotech: Parkinson's is one of the world's fastest-growing neurological disorders, with more than 10 million people living with it worldwide. The symptoms of Parkinson's, such as shaking, stiffness, and lack of balance and coordination, can be attributed to a loss of neurotransmitters in the brain, most notably dopamine.

The aforementioned symptoms are just a few examples - there are over 40 symptoms of Parkinson's. These symptoms can have a large impact on the day-to-day quality of life of people with Parkinson's.

Jung: The current symptom management for Parkinson's includes a variety of physical exercises, medication and surgery such as deep brain stimulation. As symptoms become more severe for those with Parkinson's, they are unable to freely move, meaning their level of physical movement decreases. With visits to clinicians every 6 to 12 months, it can be difficult to tell how one's daily symptoms change, and as such, how to adjust medication regimes.

Jung: I have been researching long-term health disorders for over a decade now. In 2013, I met with a gentleman with Parkinson's who was really happy to see our team but could not smile as Parkinson's had taken away his smile. This led my co-founder and I to our mission to bring smiles back to people with Parkinson's through Charco.

The inspiration behind the CUE1 came about by talking to people with Parkinson's about how various stimulations can help day-to-day, and by delving deeper into the characteristics of these stimulations. From there, it was a continuous process of prototyping and iterating with people with Parkinson's at the forefront. Their feedback has always been central to our development of the CUE1.

Jung: In the early 19th century, Dr. Jean-Martin Charcot first noticed that vibration could help reduce symptoms for people with Parkinson's as he found those who visited him by railroad or carriage had reduced symptom severity in comparison to those whom he visited. Recent studies have shown that localized stimulation, instead of full-body vibration, can be more effective in alleviating symptoms.

Cueing works by providing a person with an external trigger (a cue) for movement. It is most effective for those who commonly experience freezing episodes, where they may be unable to move for several seconds or minutes at a time. The cues can then help someone time and trigger their movement.

Jung: The CUE1 is a non-invasive, wearable, medical device which utilizes focused vibrotactile stimulation in conjunction with cueing to alleviate movement-based symptoms for people with Parkinson's. Aside from that, the device can also provide medication reminders and symptom tracking through the use of the CUE mobile application.

Jung: Worn commonly on the sternum, the CUE1 provides localized pulsed vibration to the user. The focused stimulation can help reduce the high beta frequency band activity in the brain, leading to the body being in a more ready-to-move state and reducing stiffness and slowness. The cueing provides those triggers for movement, which help with smoother and freer movement. In combination, the two therapies help alleviate the movement-based symptoms, leading to an improved day-to-day quality of life.

Jung: The device is already available in the UK with more than 2,500 people using it, and we are in the process of scaling up our production. We are also working on the initial, limited EU and US expansion of the CUE1 and are very excited about bringing more smiles back to people with Parkinson's.

Link: Charco Neurotech homepage...

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
A Wearable to Manage Parkinson's Motor Symptoms: Interview with Lucy Jung, CEO at Charco Neurotech |

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Charco Neurotech, a medtech company based in the United Kingdom, has developed CUE1, a non-invasive wearable that is intended to assist those with

# data[].attributes.body
NOVEMBER 7, 2023

# data[].attributes.body
Author: Conn Hastings

Company with innovation: Charco Neurotech

Lucy Jung: decade long researcher for long-term health disorders

Website: Medgadget.com

# data[].attributes.body
It was discovered in the early 19th century that patients who suffered from Parkinson's and arrived by train to Dr. Jean-Martin Charcot's office were found to have less symptom severity as well as patients who rode by carriage (Hastings, 2023). A medical company, Charco Neurotech, based in the UK, has piloted the use of a vibratory device that attaches to patients' chests' to send vibrations which can signal the patient to stimulate motion in specific regions of the body (Hastings, 2023).

# data[].attributes.body
+improved tremors in Parkinson's disease

+reduced stiffness, rigidity, and slowness (Hastings, 2023)

+decrease in "freeze" symptoms as a "cue" can be implemented in limbs of patient (Hastings, 2023)

+reminders for medication adherence

+improved quality of life

# data[].attributes.body
+high cost for users

+unlikely covered by most insurances

+not available in the U.S.

+pending more research and testing for patient use

# data[].attributes.body
I personally believe this medical device would make a significant impact on the aging population who suffer from Parkinson's Disease. It is possible with improved activities of daily living an increase in longevity of lifespan would be expected. I believe this medical device would aid in the research for patients with Parkinson's and could benefit a research study under stringent controls.

# data[].attributes.body
communication - excellent interpersonal skills, works well with others; fosters closed loop communication

significance - independent working but enjoys recognition when working in a team

ideation- enjoy new ideas and ways of doing things vs the same old system; any way to improve current systems

focus- able to focus on the task at hand and hold goals to meet and complete such tasks

deliberative - well thought out process used for decision making; pros/cons weighed and then evaluated for best choice