Overview
- Encora Therapeutics announced that its FDA-cleared Encora X1 wearable is now available for order through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), expanding access for veterans with essential tremor.
- The wrist-worn device uses non-invasive mechanical neurostimulation to help manage hand tremors without medication or surgery.
- In a sham-controlled clinical study, 70%–75% of participants achieved a one-point improvement in tremor-related disability after 30 minutes of stimulation, compared with 48% in the sham group.
The News
Encora Therapeutics has made Encora X1 available for order through the VA, offering veterans another option for managing essential tremor, a movement disorder that affects an estimated 7.6 million people in the United States. A peer-reviewed analysis of VA health records recorded more than 30,000 veterans receiving VA care with an essential tremor diagnosis in a single year.
Encora X1 is a prescription-only, wrist-worn device that delivers mechanical neurostimulation targeting the median, radial, and ulnar peripheral nerve distributions. It can be used independently or alongside medication, allowing users to activate the device when they need support with everyday tasks such as eating, writing, and holding objects.
Clinical studies found that device effects were observed within approximately 15 minutes. In a randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled study, 70%–75% of participants achieved a one-point improvement in tremor-related disability after 30 minutes of stimulation, versus 48% in the sham group. Additionally, 96% rated the therapy as comfortable all the time. Individual results may vary.
VA facilities can order the device through Lovell Government Services, an SBA-certified service-disabled veteran-owned small business. Veterans can consult their VA care teams to determine whether Encora X1 is appropriate for them.
Industry Perspective
Essential tremor can significantly affect daily independence, while medications may provide insufficient relief or cause side effects that limit their use. Non-invasive wearable technologies offer an additional approach to symptom management, particularly for patients seeking alternatives to drug-based treatment. However, individual outcomes and suitability depend on clinical assessment.
Strategic Impact
VA availability expands Encora Therapeutics’ access to a substantial patient population and creates a pathway for integrating wearable neurostimulation into veterans’ care. By offering a non-drug, non-invasive option that can be used alongside existing treatment, Encora X1 may help address unmet needs in essential tremor management. Its mechanical stimulation approach may also be relevant for patients with implanted electrical devices, subject to individual medical evaluation.
Source: Businesswire
