Gillespie M M
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892.
J Neurosci Nurs. 1991 Jun;23(3):170-4. doi: 10.1097/01376517-199106000-00007.
Tremor is a rhythmic, involuntary muscular contraction with consistency of rate, amplitude and pattern. It is the most common of all involuntary movements. Several systems for classifying tremor exist with the most frequent system classed according to behavioral context, ie, resting, postural and action. Clinical recognition of tremor type is extremely important as type determines prognosis, treatment and need for genetic counseling. The most common forms are parkinsonian, physiological, cerebellar intention and essential tremor. Essential or hereditary tremor is the most common of all neurologic conditions with 3-4 million Americans affected. Nursing implications of caring for essential tremor patients are presented.
