Tremor: A Merck Manual of Patient Symptoms podcast

Tremors are involuntary, rhythmic, oscillatory movements of reciprocal, antagonistic muscle groups, typically involving the hands, head, face, vocal cords, trunk, or legs.

Tremor may be normal (physiologic) or pathologic. Physiologic tremor, usually barely perceptible, becomes noticeable in many people during physical or mental stress.

Tremors vary in pattern of occurrence (eg, intermittent, constant), severity, and acuity (eg, gradual, abrupt). The severity of tremor may not be related to the seriousness of the underlying disorder. For example, essential tremor is generally thought of as benign and should not shorten life, but symptoms can be disabling.

Pathophysiology

Various lesions in the brain stem, extrapyramidal system, or cerebellum can cause tremors. Neural dysfunction or lesions that cause tremor may result from injury, ischemia, metabolic abnormalities, or a neurodegenerative disorder. Sometimes tremor is a familial condition (eg, essential tremor).

Classification: Tremor is classified primarily based on when it occurs:

• Resting tremors are visible at rest and occur when a body part is completely supported against gravity. Resting tremors are minimal or absent during activity. They occur at a frequency of 3 to 6 cycles/sec (Hz).
• Action tremors are maximal when a body part is moved voluntarily. Action tremors may or may not change in severity as a target is reached; they can occur at very different frequencies, but the frequency is always < 13 Hz. Action tremors include kinetic, intention, and postural tremors.
• Kinetic tremors appear in the last part of a movement toward a target; amplitude is small.
• Intention tremors occur during voluntary movement toward a target, but amplitude is high and frequency is low during the complete movement, while the tremor worsens as the target is reached (as seen in finger-to-nose testing); they occur at a frequency of 3 to 10 Hz.
• Postural tremors are maximal when a limb is maintained in a fixed position against gravity (eg, holding the arms stretched out); they occur at a frequency of 5 to 8 Hz. Sometimes they are modified by specific positions or tasks, which may indicate their origin; for example, dystonia may trigger a tremor (dystonic tremor).

Complex tremors can have components of more than one type of tremor.

Tremor can also be classified based on whether it is within the range of normal (physiologic tremor), a primary disorder (essential tremor, Parkinson disease), or secondary to a disorder (eg, stroke).

Tremor is usually described based on frequency of oscillations (rapid or slow) and amplitude of movement (fine or coarse).

Etiology

Physiologic tremor: Physiologic tremor occurs in otherwise healthy people. It is an action or postural tremor that tends to affect both hands about equally; amplitude is usually fine. It is often noticeable only when certain stressors are present. These stressors include

• Anxiety
• Fatigue
• Sleep deprivation
• Withdrawal of alcohol or certain other CNS depressant drugs (eg, benzodiazepines, opioids)
• Certain disorders (eg, hyperthyroidism), when symptomatic
• Consumption of caffeine or recreational drugs such as cocaine, amphetamines, or phencyclidineSome Trade Names
  No US trade name
  
  
• Use of certain therapeutic drugs, such as theophyllineSome Trade Names
  ELIXOPHYLLIN
  THEO-DUR
  Click for Drug Monograph
  , β-adrenergic agonists, corticosteroids, and valproateSome Trade Names
  DEPAKENE
  Click for Drug Monograph
  

Pathologic (nonphysiologic) tremor: There are many causes (see Table 5: Movement and Cerebellar Disorders: Some Causes of Tremor), but the most common are

• For action or postural tremors: Essential tremor
• For resting tremors: Parkinson disease
• For intention tremors: Cerebellar dysfunction (eg, due to a stroke, trauma, or multiple sclerosis)

Table 5
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Some Causes of Tremor Cause Suggestive Findings Diagnostic Approach Action tremor Alcohol or drug withdrawal (eg, of benzodiazepines or opioids) Agitation and fine tremor starting 24–72 h after the last use of alcohol or the drug (eg, a benzodiazepine) Sometimes hypertension, tachycardia, or fever, especially in hospitalized patients Clinical evaluation Drug-induced (see Table 6: Movement and Cerebellar Disorders: Some Drug Causes of Tremor by Type) History of drug use Amelioration of tremor after stopping the drug Endocrinologic, metabolic, and toxic abnormalities: Anoxic encephalopathy Heavy metal poisoning Hepatic encephalopathy Hyperparathyroidism Hyperthyroidism Hypoglycemia Pheochromocytoma Uremic encephalopathy Tremor plus altered level of consciousness (suggesting encephalopathy) and an obvious underlying disorder (eg, renal or hepatic failure) Exophthalmos, hyperreflexia, tachycardia, heat intolerance (suggesting hyperthyroidism) Extreme, refractory hypertension (suggesting pheochromocytoma) TSH level 24-h urine collection to check for metanephrines, ammonia level, BUN, glucose level, and Ca and PTH levels Heavy metal testing Essential tremor Progressively persistent coarse or fine, slow (4–8 Hz) tremor, usually symmetric and affecting both upper extremities and sometimes the head and voice, particularly in patients with a family history of tremor Clinical evaluation Physiologic tremor Fine, rapid (8–13 Hz) tremor that occurs in otherwise healthy people and may be enhanced by certain drugs or conditions (see above) Usually suppression of tremor with low doses of alcohol and other sedatives Clinical evaluation Resting tremor Drug-induced parkinsonism (see Table 6: Movement and Cerebellar Disorders: Some Drug Causes of Tremor by Type) History of drug use Amelioration of tremor after stopping the drug Parkinson disease Low-frequency (3–5 Hz) alternating tremor, often of the thumb against the index finger (pill rolling) but sometimes also affecting the chin or a leg Usually accompanied by other symptoms, such as micrographia, bradykinesia (slow movement), cogwheel rigidity, and shuffling gait Often no family history of Parkinson tremor and no reduction in tremor after alcohol consumption Specific clinical criteria Good response to empiric trial of dopaminergic drugs Progressive supranuclear palsy Tremor (sometimes coarse or jerky) in middle-aged patients with supranuclear (primarily vertical) gaze dysfunction, extrapyramidal symptoms, and cognitive dysfunction Specific clinical criteria Intention tremor Cerebellar lesions: Abscess Friedreich ataxia Hemorrhage Multiple sclerosis Spinocerebellar degeneration Stroke TBI Tumor Low-frequency (< 4 Hz) tremor that usually occurs unilaterally with ataxia, dysmetria, dysdiadochokinesia (inability to perform rapid alternating movements), and dysarthria In some patients, family history of the disorder (eg, Friedreich ataxia) MRI of the brain Drug-induced (see Table 6: Movement and Cerebellar Disorders: Some Drug Causes of Tremor by Type) History of drug use Amelioration of tremor after stopping the drug Complex tremors Holmes tremor (midbrain, red nucleus, rubral, or thalamic tremor) Irregular, low-frequency (< 4.5 Hz) tremor predominantly in the proximal limbs Combination of rest, postural, and intention tremors caused by midbrain lesions (eg, due to stroke or multiple sclerosis) near the red nucleus Sometimes signs of ataxia and weakness MRI of the brain Neuropathic tremor: Chronic relapsing polyneuropathy Guillain-Barré syndrome Diabetes IgM neuropathy Variable tremor type and frequency, usually postural and intention tremor in the affected extremities Other signs of peripheral neuropathy Electromyography Psychogenic tremor Abrupt onset and/or spontaneous remission of complex mixed-type tremor with changing characteristics Increased by attention and lessened by distraction of patient Clinical evaluation Wilson disease Variable tremor type (usually in the proximal arm) in children or young adults, often with signs of hepatic failure, rigidity, clumsy gait, dysarthria, inappropriate grinning, drooling, and neuropsychiatric signs 24-h urine collection to measure copper level; serum ceruloplasmin Slit-lamp examination PTH = parathyroid hormone; TBI = traumatic brain injury; TSH = thyroid-stimulating hormone. Some Causes of Tremor Cause Suggestive Findings Diagnostic Approach Action tremor Alcohol or drug withdrawal (eg, of benzodiazepines or opioids) Agitation and fine tremor starting 24–72 h after the last use of alcohol or the drug (eg, a benzodiazepine) Sometimes hypertension, tachycardia, or fever, especially in hospitalized patients Clinical evaluation Drug-induced (see Table 6: Movement and Cerebellar Disorders: Some Drug Causes of Tremor by Type) History of drug use Amelioration of tremor after stopping the drug Endocrinologic, metabolic, and toxic abnormalities: Anoxic encephalopathy Heavy metal poisoning Hepatic encephalopathy Hyperparathyroidism Hyperthyroidism Hypoglycemia Pheochromocytoma Uremic encephalopathy Tremor plus altered level of consciousness (suggesting encephalopathy) and an obvious underlying disorder (eg, renal or hepatic failure) Exophthalmos, hyperreflexia, tachycardia, heat intolerance (suggesting hyperthyroidism) Extreme, refractory hypertension (suggesting pheochromocytoma) TSH level 24-h urine collection to check for metanephrines, ammonia level, BUN, glucose level, and Ca and PTH levels Heavy metal testing Essential tremor Progressively persistent coarse or fine, slow (4–8 Hz) tremor, usually symmetric and affecting both upper extremities and sometimes the head and voice, particularly in patients with a family history of tremor Clinical evaluation Physiologic tremor Fine, rapid (8–13 Hz) tremor that occurs in otherwise healthy people and may be enhanced by certain drugs or conditions (see above) Usually suppression of tremor with low doses of alcohol and other sedatives Clinical evaluation Resting tremor Drug-induced parkinsonism (see Table 6: Movement and Cerebellar Disorders: Some Drug Causes of Tremor by Type) History of drug use Amelioration of tremor after stopping the drug Parkinson disease Low-frequency (3–5 Hz) alternating tremor, often of the thumb against the index finger (pill rolling) but sometimes also affecting the chin or a leg Usually accompanied by other symptoms, such as micrographia, bradykinesia (slow movement), cogwheel rigidity, and shuffling gait Often no family history of Parkinson tremor and no reduction in tremor after alcohol consumption Specific clinical criteria Good response to empiric trial of dopaminergic drugs Progressive supranuclear palsy Tremor (sometimes coarse or jerky) in middle-aged patients with supranuclear (primarily vertical) gaze dysfunction, extrapyramidal symptoms, and cognitive dysfunction Specific clinical criteria Intention tremor Cerebellar lesions: Abscess Friedreich ataxia Hemorrhage Multiple sclerosis Spinocerebellar degeneration Stroke TBI Tumor Low-frequency (< 4 Hz) tremor that usually occurs unilaterally with ataxia, dysmetria, dysdiadochokinesia (inability to perform rapid alternating movements), and dysarthria In some patients, family history of the disorder (eg, Friedreich ataxia) MRI of the brain Drug-induced (see Table 6: Movement and Cerebellar Disorders: Some Drug Causes of Tremor by Type) History of drug use Amelioration of tremor after stopping the drug Complex tremors Holmes tremor (midbrain, red nucleus, rubral, or thalamic tremor) Irregular, low-frequency (< 4.5 Hz) tremor predominantly in the proximal limbs Combination of rest, postural, and intention tremors caused by midbrain lesions (eg, due to stroke or multiple sclerosis) near the red nucleus Sometimes signs of ataxia and weakness MRI of the brain Neuropathic tremor: Chronic relapsing polyneuropathy Guillain-Barré syndrome Diabetes IgM neuropathy Variable tremor type and frequency, usually postural and intention tremor in the affected extremities Other signs of peripheral neuropathy Electromyography Psychogenic tremor Abrupt onset and/or spontaneous remission of complex mixed-type tremor with changing characteristics Increased by attention and lessened by distraction of patient Clinical evaluation Wilson disease Variable tremor type (usually in the proximal arm) in children or young adults, often with signs of hepatic failure, rigidity, clumsy gait, dysarthria, inappropriate grinning, drooling, and neuropsychiatric signs 24-h urine collection to measure copper level; serum ceruloplasmin Slit-lamp examination PTH = parathyroid hormone; TBI = traumatic brain injury; TSH = thyroid-stimulating hormone.

Drugs can cause or aggravate different types of tremor (see Table 6: Movement and Cerebellar Disorders: Some Drug Causes of Tremor by Type). Low doses of some sedatives (eg, alcohol) may relieve some tremors (eg, essential and physiologic tremor); higher doses may cause or exacerbate tremor.

Table 6
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Some Drug Causes of Tremor by Type Drug Postural Tremor Resting Tremor (Drug-Induced Parkinsonism) Intention Tremor AmiodaroneSome Trade Names CORDARONE Click for Drug Monograph * √ AmitriptylineSome Trade Names ELAVIL ENDEP Click for Drug Monograph * √ Amphotericin BSome Trade Names ABELCET AMBISOME AMPHOCIN AMPHOTEC Click for Drug Monograph √ β-Agonists (inhaled)* √ √ Caffeine* √ CalcitoninSome Trade Names CALCIMAR MIACALCIN Click for Drug Monograph √ CimetidineSome Trade Names TAGAMET Click for Drug Monograph √ Cocaine* √ CyclosporineSome Trade Names NEORAL SANDIMMUNE Click for Drug Monograph * √ √ CytarabineSome Trade Names CYTOSAR-U √ √ EpinephrineSome Trade Names ADRENALIN PRIMATENE MIST Click for Drug Monograph √ Ethanol* √ √ √ HaloperidolSome Trade Names HALDOL Click for Drug Monograph * √ √ IfosfamideSome Trade Names IFEX MITOXANA Click for Drug Monograph √ √ Interferon-alfa √ LithiumSome Trade Names ESKALITH LITHOBID LITHONATE Click for Drug Monograph * √ √ √ MDMA (Ecstasy) √ MedroxyprogesteroneSome Trade Names PROVERA Click for Drug Monograph √ √ MetoclopramideSome Trade Names REGLAN Click for Drug Monograph * √ MexiletineSome Trade Names MEXITIL Click for Drug Monograph √ NicotineSome Trade Names COMMIT NICORETTE NICOTROL Click for Drug Monograph * √ ProcainamideSome Trade Names PROCAN SR PRONESTYL Click for Drug Monograph √ ReserpineSome Trade Names SERPASIL Click for Drug Monograph √ √ SSRIs* √ √ TacrolimusSome Trade Names PROGRAF Click for Drug Monograph √ √ TamoxifenSome Trade Names NOLVADEX Click for Drug Monograph √ TheophyllineSome Trade Names ELIXOPHYLLIN THEO-DUR Click for Drug Monograph * √ ThioridazineSome Trade Names MELLARIL Click for Drug Monograph * √ √ Thyroxine* √ ValproateSome Trade Names DEPAKENE Click for Drug Monograph * √ √ Vidarabine √ *More common cause of tremor. MDMA = methylenedioxymethamphetamine. Data from Morgan JC, Sethi KD: Drug-induced tremors. The Lancet Neurology 4:866–876, 2005. Some Drug Causes of Tremor by Type Drug Postural Tremor Resting Tremor (Drug-Induced Parkinsonism) Intention Tremor AmiodaroneSome Trade Names CORDARONE Click for Drug Monograph * √ AmitriptylineSome Trade Names ELAVIL ENDEP Click for Drug Monograph * √ Amphotericin BSome Trade Names ABELCET AMBISOME AMPHOCIN AMPHOTEC Click for Drug Monograph √ β-Agonists (inhaled)* √ √ Caffeine* √ CalcitoninSome Trade Names CALCIMAR MIACALCIN Click for Drug Monograph √ CimetidineSome Trade Names TAGAMET Click for Drug Monograph √ Cocaine* √ CyclosporineSome Trade Names NEORAL SANDIMMUNE Click for Drug Monograph * √ √ CytarabineSome Trade Names CYTOSAR-U √ √ EpinephrineSome Trade Names ADRENALIN PRIMATENE MIST Click for Drug Monograph √ Ethanol* √ √ √ HaloperidolSome Trade Names HALDOL Click for Drug Monograph * √ √ IfosfamideSome Trade Names IFEX MITOXANA Click for Drug Monograph √ √ Interferon-alfa √ LithiumSome Trade Names ESKALITH LITHOBID LITHONATE Click for Drug Monograph * √ √ √ MDMA (Ecstasy) √ MedroxyprogesteroneSome Trade Names PROVERA Click for Drug Monograph √ √ MetoclopramideSome Trade Names REGLAN Click for Drug Monograph * √ MexiletineSome Trade Names MEXITIL Click for Drug Monograph √ NicotineSome Trade Names COMMIT NICORETTE NICOTROL Click for Drug Monograph * √ ProcainamideSome Trade Names PROCAN SR PRONESTYL Click for Drug Monograph √ ReserpineSome Trade Names SERPASIL Click for Drug Monograph √ √ SSRIs* √ √ TacrolimusSome Trade Names PROGRAF Click for Drug Monograph √ √ TamoxifenSome Trade Names NOLVADEX Click for Drug Monograph √ TheophyllineSome Trade Names ELIXOPHYLLIN THEO-DUR Click for Drug Monograph * √ ThioridazineSome Trade Names MELLARIL Click for Drug Monograph * √ √ Thyroxine* √ ValproateSome Trade Names DEPAKENE Click for Drug Monograph * √ √ Vidarabine √ *More common cause of tremor. MDMA = methylenedioxymethamphetamine. Data from Morgan JC, Sethi KD: Drug-induced tremors. The Lancet Neurology 4:866–876, 2005.

Evaluation

Because the diagnosis of tremor is largely clinical, a meticulous history and physical examination are essential.

History: History of present illness should cover acuity of onset (eg, gradual, abrupt), age at onset, body parts affected, provoking factors (eg, movement, rest, standing), and alleviating or exacerbating factors (eg, alcohol, caffeine, stress, anxiety). If onset is abrupt, patients should be asked about potential triggering events (eg, recent trauma or illness, use of a new drug).

Review of systems should seek symptoms of causative disorders, including multiple episodic neurologic problems (multiple sclerosis); recent sudden onset of motor weakness, language difficulties, or dysarthria (stroke); confusion and fever (meningitis, encephalitis, brain abscess or tumor); muscle rigidity, gait and postural problems, and slowness of movement (Parkinson disease, other forms of parkinsonism); weight loss, increased appetite, palpitations, diarrhea, and heat intolerance (hyperthyroidism); sensory deficits (peripheral neuropathy); and agitation and hallucinations (alcohol withdrawal, drug toxicity).

Past medical history should cover conditions associated with tremor (see Table 5: Movement and Cerebellar Disorders: Some Causes of Tremor). Family history should include questions about tremor in 1st-degree relatives. The drug profile should be reviewed for causative drugs (see Table 6: Movement and Cerebellar Disorders: Some Drug Causes of Tremor by Type), and patients should be asked specifically about caffeine intake and alcohol and recreational drug use (particularly recent discontinuation).

Physical examination: A complete and extensive neurologic examination is mandatory and should include evaluation of mental status, cranial nerves, motor and sensory function, gait, muscle stretch reflexes, and cerebellar function (with observation of finger-to-nose, shin-to-heel, and rapid alternating hand movements). The examiner should test muscles for rigidity by moving the limbs through their range of motion.

Vital signs should be reviewed for tachycardia, hypertension, or fever. General examination should note any cachexia, psychomotor agitation, and absence of facial expressions (which may indicate bradykinesia). The thyroid should be palpated for nodules and enlargement, and any signs of exophthalmus or eyelid lag should be noted.

Focused examination should note distribution and frequency of the tremor while the affected body parts are at rest and fully supported (eg, in the patient's lap), while the patient assumes certain postures (eg, holding the arms outstretched), and while the patient is walking or doing tasks with the affected body part. The examiner should note whether the tremor changes during mental distraction tasks (eg, serial subtraction of 7 from 100). The quality of the voice should be observed while the patient sustains a long note.

Red flags: The following findings are of particular concern:

• Abrupt onset
• Onset in people < 50 and with no family history of benign tremor
• Other neurologic deficits (eg, change in mental status, motor weakness, cranial nerve palsy, ataxic gait, dysarthria)
• Tachycardia and agitation

Interpretation of findings: Clinical findings help suggest a cause (see also Table 5: Movement and Cerebellar Disorders: Some Causes of Tremor).

Tremor type and onset are useful clues. Resting tremors usually indicate Parkinson disease, particularly when they are unilateral or when tremor is isolated to the chin, voice, or leg.

Intention tremors suggest a cerebellar disorder but may result from multiple sclerosis or Wilson disease.

Postural tremor suggests physiologic or essential tremor if onset is gradual; it suggests a toxic or metabolic disorder if onset is sudden.

Severe essential tremor is often confused with Parkinson disease but can usually be distinguished by specific characteristics (see Table 7: Movement and Cerebellar Disorders: Some Characteristics Differentiating Parkinson Disease From Essential Tremor). Occasionally, the 2 syndromes overlap (mixed essential tremor–Parkinson disease).

Table 7
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Some Characteristics Differentiating Parkinson Disease From Essential Tremor Characteristic Parkinson Disease Essential Tremor Tremor type Resting tremor Postural and intention tremors Age Older age (> 60) All age groups Family history Usually negative Positive in > 60% of patients Alcohol Not beneficial Often beneficial Tremor onset Unilateral Bilateral Muscle tone Cogwheel rigidity Normal Facial expression Decreased Normal Gait Decreased arm swing Normal or mild imbalance Tremor latency Longer (8–9 sec) Shorter (1–2 sec)

Sudden onset is most typical of psychogenic tremor; stepwise progression suggests stroke or multiple sclerosis. Development of tremor after use of a new drug suggests that the drug is the cause. Onset of tremor with agitation, tachycardia, and hypertension within 24 to 72 h of hospitalization may suggest alcohol withdrawal.

Gait is observed. Gait abnormalities may suggest multiple sclerosis, stroke, Parkinson disease, or a cerebellar disorder. Gait is characteristically narrow-based and shuffling in Parkinson disease and wide-based and ataxic in cerebellar disorders. The gait may have histrionic or inconsistent qualities in patients with psychogenic tremor. In patients with essential tremor, gait is often normal, but tandem gait (placing heel to toe) may be abnormal.

Complex tremor that decreases with mental distraction or whose frequency entrains to a volitional tapping rhythm by an unaffected body part (maintaining 2 different volitional movement frequencies simultaneously in 2 different body parts is difficult) suggests a psychogenic tremor.

Testing: In most patients, history and physical examination are sufficient to identify the likely etiology. However, MRI or CT of the brain should be done if

• Tremor onset is acute.
• Progression is rapid.
• Neurologic signs suggest stroke, a demyelinating disorder, or a structural lesion.

When the cause of tremor is unclear (based on history and physical examination findings), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and thyroxine (T₄) are measured to check for hyperthyroidism, Ca and parathyroid hormone are measured to check for hyperparathyroidism, and glucose testing is done to rule out hypoglycemia.

In patients with toxic encephalopathy, the underlying condition is usually readily apparent, but measurement of BUN and ammonia levels can help confirm the diagnosis. Measurement of free metanephrines in plasma is indicated in patients with unexplained refractory hypertension; serum ceruloplasmin and urinary copper levels should be measured if patients are < 40 and have tremor with an unclear cause (with or without parkinsonism) and no family history of benign tremor.

Although electromyography (EMG) can differentiate true tremor from other movement disorders (eg, myoclonus, clonus, epilepsia partialis continua), it is rarely required. However, EMG may help establish peripheral neuropathy as a potential cause of tremor if a neuropathy is clinically suspected.

Treatment

Physiologic tremors: No treatment is necessary unless symptoms are bothersome. Avoiding triggers (such as caffeine, fatigue, sleep deprivation, drugs, and, when possible, stress and anxiety) can help prevent or reduce symptoms.

Physiologic tremor enhanced by alcohol withdrawal or hyperthyroidism responds to treatment of the underlying condition.

Oral benzodiazepines (eg, diazepamSome Trade Names
VALIUM
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2 to 10 mg, lorazepamSome Trade Names
ATIVAN
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1 to 2 mg, oxazepamSome Trade Names
SERAX
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10 to 30 mg) given tid or qid may be useful for people with tremor and chronic anxiety, but continuous use should be avoided. PropranololSome Trade Names
INDERAL
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20 to 80 mg po qid (and other β-blockers) is often effective for tremor enhanced by drugs or acute anxiety (eg, stage fright).

Essential tremors: PropranololSome Trade Names
INDERAL
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20 to 80 mg po qid (or other β-blockers) is often effective, as is primidoneSome Trade Names
MYSOLINE
Click for Drug Monograph
50 to 250 mg po tid. For some patients, a small amount of alcohol is effective; however, alcohol is not routinely recommended for treatment because abuse is a risk.

Cerebellar tremors: No effective drug is available; physical therapy (eg, weighting the affected limbs, teaching patients to brace the proximal limb during activity) sometimes helps.

Parkinsonian tremors: Parkinson disease is treated (see Movement and Cerebellar Disorders: Parkinson Disease). Levodopa is usually the treatment of choice for most parkinsonian tremors. Anticholinergic drugs may be considered in certain cases, but their adverse effects (decreased mental concentration, dry mouth, dry eyes, urinary retention) may outweigh their benefits, particularly in the elderly. Other drugs include dopamineSome Trade Names
INTROPIN
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agonists (eg, pramipexoleSome Trade Names
MIRAPEX
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, ropiniroleSome Trade Names
REQUIP
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), MAO type B inhibitors (selegilineSome Trade Names
ELDEPRYL
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, rasagilineSome Trade Names
AZILECT
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), catechol O-methyltransferase (COMT) inhibitors (entacaponeSome Trade Names
COMTAN
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, tolcaponeSome Trade Names
TASMAR
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—used only in combination with levodopa), and amantadineSome Trade Names
SYMMETREL
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.

Disabling tremor: For severe, disabling, drug-refractory essential tremor, surgical management with unilateral stereotactic thalamotomy or chronic unilateral or bilateral thalamic deep brain stimulation may be considered. Dystonic tremor may respond better to functional neurosurgery targeting the internal portion of the globus pallidus. In Parkinson disease, tremor substantially lessens after thalamic, internal globus pallidus, or subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation.

Although these techniques are widely available, they should be used only after reasonable drug therapy has failed and only in patients who do not have substantial cognitive or psychiatric impairment.

Geriatrics Essentials

Many elderly patients attribute development of tremor to normal aging and may not seek medical attention. Although essential tremor is more prevalent among the elderly, a thorough history and physical examination are required to rule out other causes and to determine whether the symptoms are severe enough to justify drug or surgical treatment.

Comparatively low doses of drugs may exacerbate tremor in the elderly, and adjusting doses of chronically used drugs (eg, amiodaroneSome Trade Names
CORDARONE
Click for Drug Monograph
, metoclopramideSome Trade Names
REGLAN
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, SSRIs, thyroxine) to the lowest effective dose should be considered. Similarly, elderly patients are more vulnerable to adverse effects of drugs used to treat tremor (eg, anticholinergic drugs); thus, these drugs should be used cautiously in the elderly, usually at lower dosages than are otherwise considered optimal.

Tremor can significantly affect functional ability in the elderly, particularly if they have other physical or cognitive impairments. Physical and occupational therapy can provide simple coping strategies, and assistive devices may help maintain quality of life.

Key Points

• Tremor can be classified as resting or action (which includes intention, kinetic, and postural tremors).
• The most common causes of tremor include physiologic tremor, essential tremor, and Parkinson disease.
• History and physical examination can typically identify the etiology of tremor.
• Consider Parkinson disease if patients have a resting tremor, essential or physiologic tremor if they have a postural or an action tremor, and cerebellar tremor if they have an intention tremor.
• If tremor begins abruptly or occurs in patients who are < 50 and do not have a family history of benign tremor, evaluate them promptly and thoroughly
• Treat according to the cause and type of tremor: avoidance of triggers (physiologic), propranololSome Trade Names
  INDERAL
  Click for Drug Monograph
  or primidoneSome Trade Names
  MYSOLINE
  Click for Drug Monograph
  (essential), physical therapy (cerebellar), usually levodopa (parkinsonian), and possibly deep brain stimulation (disabling and drug-refractory).

Last full review/revision January 2013 by Hector A. Gonzalez-Usigli, MD; Alberto Espay

Content last modified January 2013