Chippewa Valley Times

Dr. Nicholas Beltz, an associate professor of kinesiology, and Dr. Marc Mc Ellistrem, a professor of materials science and biomedical engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire (UWEC), are working with students to develop portable vibrating gloves aimed at reducing tremors in Parkinson’s disease patients. This project has received a significant financial boost from the Mayo/UW-Eau Claire Research and Innovation Council in the form of an $82,682 grant.

According to Dr. Beltz, "The funding is crucial for the purchase of materials and supplies to build the vibrotactile gloves, as well as access to the clinical questionnaire to evaluate motor symptoms in individuals with Parkinson’s." The grant will also cover wages for several Blugold students involved in the project and faculty stipends. "This grant will keep the wheels turning on this project," he added.

The team includes two undergraduate students: sophomore Shivani Saravanan from Maple Grove, Minnesota, and senior Maddie Mousel from Roberts. Both are majoring in biomedical engineering. Graduate student Calla Dexheimer is also contributing to the study as part of her thesis for a master’s degree in exercise physiology.

Dexheimer expressed enthusiasm about her involvement: “As a graduate of UWEC’s biomedical engineering bachelor's program, this research is an amazing opportunity to use my BME skills and grow as a master's student in the exercise physiology program.” She added that it would be interesting to observe how these gloves could impact Parkinson’s symptoms such as tremors, sleep disturbances, and fatigue, potentially offering a noninvasive treatment option that improves quality of life.