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Katie, now 15, endured severe tics from a young age that once left her confined to bed with a sore throat for two weeks. The persistent tics disrupted her sleep and appetite, also causing her to miss school frequently. She describes how living with Tourette’s syndrome significantly affected her daily life. However, a breakthrough came when she tried a wrist-worn device developed by researchers in Nottingham, which she says helped soothe her symptoms almost instantly. Katie recalled that first experience as “absolutely life-changing” and “like the best day of my life.”
Tourette’s syndrome typically begins in childhood and is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by involuntary movements and sounds. Katie, who is from Hertfordshire, first noticed her symptoms at age seven. She shared that the tics involved constant movement and repetitive sounds, particularly snorting, which often left her with a sore throat and feeling unwell. These symptoms took a toll on her emotional well-being, making her feel quite sad at times.
The device, created by a university and its spin-out company Neurotherapeutics Ltd, has received an additional £1 million in funding to help bring it to market. Two versions exist: Neupulse-C, sold as a consumer wellness tool, and Neupulse-M, which is intended for medical use to treat tics and Tourette’s syndrome once it obtains regulatory approval. Currently, Neupulse-M is still undergoing this approval process, and only after receiving it might it be considered for use within the NHS. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has labeled the technology “promising” but has requested more long-term evidence before recommending it for NHS adoption. The university reports that thousands of the devices have already been sold.
Among the many who have benefited from the device is 15-year-old Ollie from Cheshire, who began experiencing sudden, involuntary neck movements nearly two years ago. His parents described how difficult routine activities became, with Ollie having to stay home from school for months, especially as he was preparing for GCSE exams. Initially diagnosed with Functional Neurological Disorder after his symptoms appeared, Ollie was hesitant to try the device. However, after using it for the first time, he experienced an immediate reduction in his tics, describing it as “like a light switch.” Both Ollie and his family called the device “life-changing,” echoing similar sentiments shared by other users. Emma McNally, CEO of Tourettes Action, said that people she has spoken to have praised the device for allowing them to engage in social activities and helping to calm tic attacks
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