Charco Neurotech Cue 1+

[Leanmachine]

I want to share my journey with the Charco Neurotech Cue 1+ in the hope of helping others when trying to make a decision on purchasing this device. I know and understand that everybody’s circumstances are different. My aim is to give as much information as possible about my journey with this device. Hopefully it will help someone.

BACKGROUND

I am a 58 year old man diagnosed in 2022. My left side in affected the most - I drag my left leg and my left arm does not swing very well. I shuffle when walking and get stuck in doorways etc. I have tremors in my hands. I am fairly active and exercise every day. I play golf (with a buggy) twice a month.

A stranger watched me filling my car up at the garage and asked if I had Parkinson’s? He mentioned the Cue 1 device so I went home and looked it up.

I placed my order in July and checked where I was on the waiting list and found that I had a 1 - 2 months wait. Well it arrived today…

It arrived in a nice box. The presentation was very nice with a hand written good luck message.

The lid of the box contains -

Quick start guide
Instruction booklet
Charging cable
Spare adhesives for the device
A spare adhesive for the body
Silica Gel

This is the device holder and charging station. It also holds spare adhesives.

There are two gold pins on the device that line up with the two gold strips on the charging case. It fits in the case with a nice magnetic click.

It feels well put together and not to heavy. It is not too wide either.

My first impressions are good. It feels well made. The next thing is to try it on my body. Over the weekend I will set it up and let you know my first impressions wearing it - good or bad.

[Steve2]

Hello Leanmachine … I have heard of the cue1 device but not the cue1+, how do they differ?

Thanks for sharing.
Steve2

[gus]

That would be brilliant if you could keep us updated how your getting along and the benefits you’ve got on with the cue if its helped walking & balance.

[Leanmachine]

Thank you for you question Steve2. I have found the following information from Charco Neurotech’s website.

‘We have enhanced the CUE1 by analysing real-world data over the years. Season 2 is the new phase of launch coming with the CUE1+ (CUE1 plus), which is the enhanced version of the CUE1’.

‘The basic functionality is the same as the CUE1 but the CUE1+ will have a longer lifetime as it has a customised motor for neuromodulation. Also, an additional colour option has been introduced, so you’ll be able to choose between the original Deep Ocean colour and the new Sand colour’.

Here is a link to their FAQ page on their website.

Frequently asked questions - Charco Neurotech

I hope that helps.

[Leanmachine]

No problem Gus. I am going to keep a diary of my experience in the hope that it might help someone.

[Leanmachine]

So, I received my device on the Friday which gave me all weekend to play with it. It came with charge in it and I decided to top up the charge to full (took 9 minuted to top up).

I decided that I would buy a portable power bank so that I can charge my Cue1+ anywhere when I am out.

You can get them in most places I got mine from Amazon and it cost me £14.99.

I decided that I would start on the Saturday morning. I lay on my bed and just tried the Cue1+ up and down the sternum area of my chest. I did not stick it down at this stage I just pressed it against my chest and felt for the vibrations.

I found that if I put it to the top of my sternum area the vibrations moved through the top of my chest, my shoulders and neck area. If I then moved it down my chest the vibrations felt like they were travelling down my body towards my stomach and top of my legs. This did not feel right. it felt like the vibrations were being washed away and waisted. So I stuck to the upper chest area.

I had a shower and used some Aloe Vera gel on the area I am going to put the adhesive patch on as it helps to stop any reaction to the adhesive patch.

I placed it on my chest and turned it on. I did the normal things I do, had breakfast, exercised and general pottering around. You are aware of the buzzing but it is not very loud and you can feel the vibrations from the device which are not very intrusive, they are just there.

I spent some time in my chair just relaxing and feeling the vibrations working through me. At one point I fell asleep. Later in the day I did try the Cue1+ in a few different places on my chest but it definitely felt best for me towards the top of my sternum.

On my first day I felt no gains. My body felt a little confused - there is this strange vibration - what’s going on? type of a feeling.

My Cue1+ charge lasted all day and I took it off at bed time and put it on charge.

Sunday morning I put it on first thing and went about my day. I did not notice any changes in my symptoms during the day everything felt the same. Later that afternoon my wife asked how I was getting on and my reaction was that nothing felt different to me. She had noticed a difference. Only subtle ones but my walking was smoother and I am swinging my left leg a bit better. My tremors have calmed down and I seemed more relaxed. I had not noticed these changes but she was right, things were slightly smoother.

I never expected this to be an instant cure and I am expecting this to take time. Let’s see what the week brings…

[Steve2]

Hello Leanmachine … Thanks for your update. It will be interesting to see how much your symptoms improve over time.

A question please … Can other people hear any sounds from the device? Or is it just you?

I will very much forward to all your updates.

Best wishes
Steve2

[Leanmachine]

Hi Steve2, If someone is sitting right next to you in a quiet room they can hear it. My wife always asks if I have it switched on as she cannot hear it when she is in the same room.

When I first put it on to me it sounded really load but now I forget I have it on. Sometimes I think 'what’s that buzzing - then I remember lol.

Thanks for the question.

Leanmachine.

[Steve2]

BACKGROUND

I [Leanmachine] am a 58 year old man diagnosed in 2022.

I [Steve2] am a 70 year old man. I was diagnosed with Atypical Parkinson’s in June 2023 following a positive Datscan. A Datscan is probably the most reliable way of testing for Parkinson’s. Although results are not 100% reliable.

My left side is affected the most - I drag my left leg and my left arm does not swing very well.

Whereas I have no outward signs of Parkinson’s & I can walk normally. I swing both arms normally & do not drag either foot.

I shuffle when walking and get stuck in doorways etc.

As I said I walk with a normal stride & do not drag either foot. I too get stuck in doorways & struggle to turn. I also have pretty severe “gait freezing”. This happens when I stop for more than a couple of minutes. When this happens I struggle to move at all.

I have tremors in my hands.

I have tremors in my hands only when I eat or carry anything where other people are present. Strangely I can carry things like a cup of coffee at home but not out & about.

I am fairly active and exercise every day. I play golf (with a buggy) twice a month.

I was very active I now struggle to walk more than 50 yards. If I do walk for longer my legs immediately become incredibly heavy & my lower back is very uncomfortable. I am 6 feet tall & slim. I stopped playing golf a year ago because I could no longer swing a golf club, putt or walk far enough inspite of using a golf cart. At my peak I was a 10 handicap.

I do hope the Cue1+ device works for you & I am of course interested as to whether it might help my symptoms. I also have neuropathy in my legs & wear & tear damage to my spine in two places. I am on more medication than I feel comfortable with.

Thanks again for sharing your interesting journey with us.

If you have any questions for me please ask.

Best wishes
Steve2

[Leanmachine]

Monday came and I started as normal. My dopamine levels are quite high first thing in the morning so I started the day with breakfast followed by exercising. I had charged the Cue1+ Sunday night before bed (so far it takes around 90 minutes to charge from the power bank I purchased). I have not worn it at night yet.

My stance does feel a lot more up right. My shoulders are more relaxed and in a more natural position with a chest out posture. Everything felt a little more relaxed and natural. My steps are more flowing with little stuttering or left leg dragging they were not perfect but better.

I know that by midmorning my dopamine levels will have dropped and I would be back to shuffling and dragging my left leg so I turned on my device. I sat for a while and listened to the rhythm of the devise. I concentrated on feeling the vibrations - letting my brain get in tune with the sensations (I would continue this all week as I felt this really helped). To my delight I was able to keep the good stance and the balanced walking going whilst wearing the Cue1+ - it lasted all day.

Just for a note - my Cue1+ lasts for about 12 hours on a charge.

My wife came home from work and I strolled out of the small bedroom/office walked past her to the bathroom then into the main bedroom. She just stood there with her mouth wide open said a few words and then burst into tears - she could not believe it. We went to the lounge and I walked up and down showing what I can do. It felt really rewarding and a big step forwards.

This continued throughout Tuesday and Wednesday with slow and steady progress each day. On Thursday I started having a problem with pain in my left hip - it was really painful. It took some time but I eventually realised that the pain was due to the fact that I was not dragging my left leg anymore and my hip was not use to that. So I took some anti inflammatory tablets and the pain went away by the weekend.

It has been a positive week - things have improved with the help of my Cue1+ device. Lets see what week two brings…

[gus]

That sounds great even the smallest changes are good keep posting thanks

[Leanmachine]

Thanks Gus.

[Leanmachine]

This is how the CUE 1+ looks when charging

and when it finishes charging.

It takes about 50 minutes to charge.

[Leanmachine]

So this week started off with aches and pains. I played golf on the Sunday with a friend and the use of a buggy as my walking any distance is non existent at the moment (one of my goals is to be strong enough in the new year to be able to walk a round of golf and not use a buggy and I am hoping the Cue 1+ device will help) and boy did I ache.

Monday morning was a struggle to get going. I did my normal thing got up for breakfast and then to exercise but I was uncoordinated and back to dragging my left leg and my tremors seemed stronger. I turned the Cue 1+ on straight after breakfast (I had been turning it on after exercising during the previous week). Nothing changed - it made no difference at all!!! The whole day was spent being back to how I had been the Cue 1+ was having no effect on my symptoms. My wife came home and after a while asked if I had turned it on as my staggered walking and tremors were back? The devise is making no difference.

Tuesday came and things were no better. Walking still bad, tremors still there. I could not believe it! Was week one just a fluke?

Wednesday - just the same. To say I was annoyed was an understatement. Wife came home from work and after a while of quietly observing she said that I was much better than Monday and Tuesday - I was much calmer with my tremors and smoother with my walking. To be fair I had not done much walking that afternoon so did not realise.

Thursday morning I decided to spend some time with my Cue 1+. Just sitting back in the chair and letting its vibrations work their way through my body. It does calm my walking. My shoulders relax, my arms swing freely and my tremors are better. When I take it off to charge it my symptoms return.

Friday and Saturday were the same.

So it has been a hit and miss week. Because I was tired from playing golf was my brain to busy telling my body to take it easy as it needed to build it’s self back up that it blocked out the signals from the Cue 1+? or was it too much of an overload for my brain?

Next Sunday I am playing again so we will see what happens the following week.

I’ll give an update at the end of this week. Hope everyone has a good week.

[Steve2]

Good evening Leanmachine … Just thought I’d ask if you worked & if you do does Parkinson’s make this difficult ?

You also don’t say whether you are taking any Parkinson’s medication & if you
do what do you take ?

Best wishes
Steve2

[Leanmachine]

Hi Steve2,

Yes, I work from home in financial services and it does make it difficult some days with my tremors but they are calming down at the moment.

The medication I am on is Sinemet tablets which I take 3 times a day.

Thanks for the questions Steve2.

[Steptoe]

Apologies for jumping in but it seemed to be a good place to share a recent observation: I don’t have visible resting tremors atm but for some reason my hands shake when washing them. However I’ve noticed that while then cleaning my teeth with an electric toothbrush this seems to relax me and the shakes disappear. I’m wondering if the vibrations from the toothbrush are travelling up to my brain and calming things down somehow?

This experience does seem to suggest that the Cue devices may help in calming tremors though, as we know, everyone’s experience is likely to vary.

[Steve2]

Good evening Steptoe & welcome to the forum. Interesting observation from you, thanks for sharing. I am 70 & have Atypical Parkinson’s. I don’t have a noticeable tremor, although recently I had a heart ultrasound & the technician told me I had a tremor. I don’t noticeably shake BUT when I eat, just as soon as my fork gets to my mouth I shake & most of the food spills off my fork or I miss my mouth entirely.

Also if I carry a mug of tea in my flat I never shake or spill a drop but if I go to a cafe & buy a coffee, have a tray or plate of something I spill the lot on the floor or shake so much I can’t move. Odd isn’t it?

Best wishes
Steve2

[Ali_7]

Hi Steptoe

I hope you don’t mind me chipping in.

Apparently Charcot (the 19th C French neurologist) noticed his Parkinson’s patients had fewer symptoms if they travelled to their appointment by horse drawn carriage or train. He thought the vibrations on their journey could have helped reduce their symptoms.

This was mentioned in a Charco video, I thought it was interesting. And sounds like you have noticed the same thing!