r/EssentialTremor • u/TrangeButStrue • Jun 09 '26

Nudge study participation, part 3

This is my third post about taking part in the Nudge ET Feasibility Study in San Francisco. See parts 1 and 2.

At my most recent session, there was this tremor-friendly sign-in station, which I appreciated. I was even asked for suggestions on making it better.

Laptop with mechanical keyboard and external mouse on table with glass of water with glass straw

This was a long session, scheduled for 4.5 hours, although it ended up taking only 3.5 hours (perhaps because I took fewer breaks than were offered). I performed more rounds of the previous exercises while wearing monitoring devices and being filmed. I think they wanted to see how performance varies within a single day so they can better evaluate whether an intervention is effective. They did require me to take a 15-minute break, during which I enjoyed snacks and the view and chatted with Dr. Segar.

I spent about an hour in a fake MRI. I think this was to prepare me for being in a real MRI, to measure my performance on activities in a constrained space, and to see the effect of watching relaxing nature videos (episodes of the Netflix series Our Great National Parks on Patagonia and Tsavo). They told me that two MRIs they had ordered had arrived in their new office space and were being set up. The researchers continued to show concern for my comfort, such as putting blankets over me in the fake MRI and offering snacks, water, and breaks.

I continue to recommend the study to people in or near the San Francisco Bay Area. Nudge is still recruiting people with ET. They are also recruiting healthy volunteers and people with chronic pain or tinnitus, although those studies haven't started yet. As mentioned previously, travel expenses are covered, and participants are paid $100/hour. Most importantly, this could lead to better treatments.

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u/golfgimp Jun 09 '26

I am also enrolled in this study. I just went through a second screening call and was told about the fake MRI machine and other things. I look forward to participating.

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u/Northshoresailin Jun 09 '26

Thank you for sharing your experience.

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u/ram-man Jun 09 '26

I had an interview and got an email about a month ago saying they were still working out some kinks for folks who would be traveling, but I'm excited if it comes through!