Touchpoint Product Review

*This product review was written by Allison Smith, The Perkie Parkie.

I had been getting questions about a little device that you can hold in your hand, and the vibration will help with anxiety, stress, sleep issues, and even tremors brought on by Parkinson’s disease. Ding, ding, ding.  You have my attention.  I began to research the links that people have been sending me with questions like “have you heard about this… Is this for real?” which led me to the Touchpoint website. 

After receiving my package, I couldn’t wait to get started.   

The website states that “TouchPoints’ patent-pending BLAST (bi-lateral alternating stimulation-tactile technology) is scientifically proven to alter the body’s “fight or flight” response caused by stress. The wearables emit vibrations that disengage your standard stress response, which can impact your performance and health. The results have shown to be life-changing. This unique process of shifting from one brain area to another has been proven to create new behavior patterns that lessen your reaction to stress over time.”

I was down to give them a spin and blog about it on my “Perky’s Pick” page, where I review products for people with Parkinson’s. I had patients, caregivers, and my co-workers try them out. Some of the responses I got were, 

“that’s interesting… I don’t know what this feels like… I could totally see how this could help with my anxiety… I feel like I’m at the Cheesecake Factory and my table is now ready.”      

Now it’s time for my review.  I will start with the Pro’s and Con’s. 

Pro’s

-They are light weight and easy to wear on your wrist once you get them on.  

-Easy to use, just press the button to turn them on and your off to the races.  

-Charging the devices is made easy with a USB cable (which is included)  

-Touchpoint is good for anxiety.  It helps focus on a physical stimulus and quiet worrisome thoughts. 

-The touchpoints do not impact Parkies that have Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS).  

Con’s 

-The wrist bands could be difficult for someone with fine motor issues to put them on. 

-The vibration is pretty loud.  It would be noticeable if you wore them in public. 

-In a short amount of time after receiving my touchpoint I noticed my serial number on the back of the device had rubbed off.  This could be problematic if I had any technical difficulties, or had to exchange them, I would haven’t been able to read the ID number.  But this has a quick fix, you can just write the serial number on your shipping receipt and keep it in a safe place. 

-There is no scientific research that proves that Touchpoints reduces tremors in Parkinson’s disease.  

Final thoughts

I believe that Touchpoint has great potential in reducing anxiety and stress with its bi-lateral alternating stimulation-tactile technology, which is also used with Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), which is a psychotherapy treatment that was originally designed to alleviate the distress associated with traumatic memories. 

You could see that it would be helpful with those experiencing anxiety and stress… which, as we know, when we are put in stressful situations, our Parkinson’s can be amplified. 

So, you can see how Touchpoint can help aid in lowering anxiety, which theoretically could help with Parkinson’s symptoms, but this is not a treatment for Parkinson’s disease.  I would recommend Touchpoint for those looking for an alternative to medication to manage stress and anxiety… during a pandemic, who isn’t a bit edgy? 

For more information or to purchase your own pair of Touchpoint, click here.

*This article first appeared in The Perky Parkie on February 3, 2021 by Allison Smith. To read the full article, click here.