HERSHEY — Penn State Health is offering a new, incisionless treatment for patients with essential tremor and tremor-dominant Parkinson’s disease whose symptoms have not improved with medication.

The treatment, known as focused ultrasound, uses sound waves guided by MRI to target a small area deep in the brain responsible for tremors. Because the procedure does not require surgical incisions or permanent implants, most patients face a lower risk of infection and bleeding and can return home the same day, according to the health system.

“Focused ultrasound is transforming how we treat tremor disorders,” said Pratik Talati, a functional neurosurgeon and director of focused ultrasound for Penn State Health Neurosurgery. “Patients who have struggled with debilitating tremors for years can experience significant improvement within hours, allowing them to return to everyday activities like eating, writing and drinking.”

The treatment is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat both sides of the brain in eligible patients. Treatments are staged at least nine months apart for essential tremor and six months apart for Parkinson’s disease. Clinical studies show benefits may last up to five years for patients with essential tremor.

Focused ultrasound is offered through the Movement Disorders program at the Penn State Neuroscience Institute, which provides specialized care for patients with neurological conditions that affect movement. The program includes fellowship-trained neurologists and neurosurgeons who develop individualized treatment plans and provide access to advanced therapies.