Decreasing the Symptoms of Essential Tremor With Medical Painting Therapy

Abstract

Introduction Essential tremor (ET) is a common movement disorder in the elderly. Bilateral postural tremor usually involves the hands and forearms; the primary diagnostic criteria can be with or without a kinetic tremor. Anticonvulsants are frequently prescribed as a primary medication, and botulinum toxin and deep brain stimulation as secondary options. In this case report, a patient with ET received medical painting therapy guided by the principles of anthroposophy and the work of Liane Collot d´Herbois. Case Presentation A 78-year-old woman presented ET, depression and bipolar symptoms. Additionally, she reported insomnia, constipation, lumbar pain, and sciatic pain. Current medications included lithium carbonate, folic acid, levothyroxine, and zinc, and she had refused to take propranolol for her ET. She agreed to begin medical painting therapy. Over 5 months, she had 16 sessions of medical painting therapy, carried out in 2 stages. The first stage consisted of 6 free painting sessions for patient evaluation, followed by the second stage of 10 therapeutic sessions. Conclusion The patient reported an increased quality of life (including emotional aspects) and a decrease in her ET, as evidenced by the patient's handwriting. Further research is needed to understand the strengths and limitations of this therapy for ET and related conditions.

Keywords: Liane Collot d’Herbois; anthroposophical medicine; case reports; essential tremor; integrative medicine; medical painting therapy.

Figure 1:

An example of the 3 free works on charcoal upon which the diagnosis was based. Technique: light and dark; material: Fabriano paper and charcoal.

Figure 2:

An example of the patient’s 3 free paintings in watercolor upon which the diagnosis was based. Technique: watercolor in wet paper; material: newsprint (paper) and Winsor & Newton watercolor paints.

Figure 3:

Therapeutic painting performed by the patient at the end of the process. Technique: wet paper to wet watercolor; material: Courrant paper, Winsor & Newton watercolor paints, Schmink and Old Holland watercolor paints.

Figure 4:

Handwriting (A) before and (B) after the therapeutic process.

Figure 5:

Patient self-report. Translation: I hope Mrs. is fine [the therapist]. I am better after the treatment. Before, I was afraid of walking and falling down because of the tremor.