The Steadi-3 evaluation study aimed to assess the device’s effectiveness in reducing upper-limb tremors through controlled testing. Researchers observed participants performing everyday and fine-motor tasks—such as drinking, finger-to-nose movement, and drawing an Archimedes spiral—under three conditions: no intervention, placebo, and active device use. Neurologists rated tremor severity using a modified Fahn-Tolosa-Marin scale, while participants provided feedback on usability and comfort. The study’s goal was to determine whether Steadi-3, as a non-invasive assistive device, could offer significant tremor reduction without medication or surgery, helping individuals with Essential Tremor or related movement disorders regain better control in daily activities.

Tremor severity was evaluated by independent neurologists using a modified Fahn-Tolosa-Marin (FTM) scale, which scores tremor intensity from 0 (no tremor) to 4 (severe tremor). Participants performed three tasks—drinking, intention (finger-to-nose), and spiral drawing—under baseline, placebo, and active device conditions. Videos of each session were reviewed blindly to prevent bias, ensuring that raters could not distinguish between placebo and real device usage. The modified FTM included additional precision for functional tasks like drinking to better reflect real-world usability. This standardized scoring system provided objective, consistent data confirming that the Steadi-3 device significantly reduced tremor across multiple tasks.

The evaluation demonstrated that the Steadi-3 device consistently reduced tremor severity across all tasks compared to both placebo and no intervention. On average, participants’ tremor ratings decreased most notably during the drinking task—from 1.89 at baseline to 0.89 with Steadi-3. The intention task improved from 1.89 to 1.22, and the spiral task from 2.61 to 1.56. Statistical analysis (ANOVA) confirmed significant effects for both task type and intervention condition. Additionally, 70% of participants improved over placebo, 80% over baseline, and 83% self-reported noticeable improvement—indicating strong alignment between clinician evaluations and participant experiences with the device.

Participants reported overwhelmingly positive outcomes. After both short-term and one-week usage, 83% described significant improvement in tremor control and indicated they would continue using the device. They highlighted easier completion of daily tasks—especially drinking without spilling—as a major benefit. None of the participants experienced adverse effects, confirming the device’s comfort and safety during extended wear. Users also appreciated its ease of integration into their daily routines. These results show that Steadi-3 not only reduces tremor severity but is also practical and user-friendly, making it a promising non-invasive option for ongoing tremor management.

Future studies will focus on larger, more diverse participant groups to validate Steadi-3’s effectiveness across different tremor types and severity levels, including Parkinson’s Disease and Essential Tremor. Researchers plan to incorporate objective biomechanical measurements—such as motion sensors and tremor amplitude tracking—to complement neurologist ratings and further quantify mechanical improvements. Development goals include refining ergonomics for better comfort, enhancing adaptability for varied user needs, and testing long-term performance in real-world environments. These next steps aim to strengthen clinical validation and optimize Steadi-3 as a reliable, non-invasive assistive device for individuals living with tremor-related conditions.