Essential Tremors Treatment Offers a Second Chance

Tom Cioffi stops short of calling the results of his focused ultrasound treatment a miracle. A few years ago, tremors had presented suddenly, with disruptive and debilitating consequences. He could not lift a spoon of traditional clam chowder to his mouth or a morning cup of coffee. He expected the symptoms would only worsen. Now, he’s got his life back.

“I don’t want to call it a miracle,” he says tearfully, looking for support from his wife who sits to his side. A professional golfer for 35 years, Cioffi chokes back emotions as he describes the life-altering surgery at Rhode Island Hospital that halted the essential tremor on his right side, and to his head. “It’s a testament to the decades of work and countless hours that the doctors and technicians put in to be able to fix someone like me. I’m very excited and appreciative of what’s happened.”

Tom Cioffi Tells His Story

Tom Cioffi thought he would have to live with essential tremor for the rest of his life. In a matter of a few hours and a focused ultrasound treatment, his tremors were under control. Watch his story.

Unknown Cause

Tremor is an involuntary – usually rhythmic – movement that results in the shaking of a body part. Known as essential tremor (ET), its cause is unknown. When the tremor does not respond well to medications, or severe symptoms impair an individual’s quality of life, then surgical treatment can be considered. The two main surgical treatments are deep brain stimulation (DBS) and the one that Tom and his care team chose – focused ultrasound (FUS).

Non-invasive Treatment

FUS is a neurosurgical technology that involves treating the deep brain in a single outpatient procedure without the need for a surgical incision. Specifically, the technology uses ultrasound waves to create a small ablation to disrupt pathological brain activity to reduce the signs or symptoms of essential tremor and tremor-dominant Parkinson’s Disease.

Tom Cioffi relaxes on a couch in his living room at home.

Tom Cioffi and his wife joyously face one another.

Tom Cioffi sits in his kitchen with one of his dogs behind him.

Tom Cioffi showing how he can now pick up a glass and drink from it without tremors.

Tom Cioffi practicing his golf swing, accompanied by one of his dogs.

Tom Cioffi playing ball with one of his dogs in his yard.

“Fast Track” to Help

When a caring friend mentioned the innovative FUS treatment being used successfully by doctors at the Movement Disorders Program at Rhode Island Hospital, Cioffi was literally on the fast track to help.

At the Fast Track Deep Brain Stimulation Clinic at Rhode Island Hospital, Cioffi and his wife, Sally, met with an experienced multidisciplinary team that included neurosurgeons Wael Asaad, MD, PhD, and Athar Naveed Malik, MD, PhD. “The team was informative, professional, well ahead of the curve of anything I was anticipating,” Tom recalled. “I felt very comfortable going in and during the process.”

For others who may experience essential tremor, Cioffi encourages them to consider the treatment that changed his world. “Don’t wait. The tremors get worse. This treatment works.”