The OTvest, Weighted Vest provides Trunk Stability for those with Dystonia, Parkinson’s Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Athetoid Cerebral Palsy, and Other Movement Disorders- Helping Reduce Tremors and Dizziness.
The OTvest™ weighted vest provides targeted trunk stability for individuals with dystonia, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, athetoid cerebral palsy, cerebellar ataxia, and other movement disorders—helping to reduce tremors, dizziness, and instability in everyday life.
Movement disorders can be debilitating, affecting balance, coordination, confidence, and independence. The OTvest™ offers a simple, non-invasive, drug-free support option designed to improve functional movement and daily participation.
Designed for Neurological Movement Challenges
The OTvest™ denim weighted vest is specifically designed to support individuals with neurological conditions caused by cerebellar or central nervous system involvement, including:
Other movement disorders resulting from cerebellar damage
The OTvest™ is comfortable, discreet, and can be worn throughout the day to support improved posture, balance, and motor control.
Science-Based Weight Placement
The patented weight placement of the OTvest™ is based on Neurodevelopmental Treatment (NDT/Bobath)principles developed by world-renowned British neurologist Dr. Karel Bobath and physiotherapist Berta Bobath.
Their work emphasized the importance of stabilizing the shoulder girdle (upper chest and upper back) to improve controlled movement in individuals with neurological disorders. This treatment model is still used worldwide by occupational and physical therapists today.
How Deep Pressure Improves Movement
The OTvest™ delivers deep pressure therapy through evenly distributed weight across the upper back, shoulder blades (scapula), and upper chest.
Deep pressure provides proprioceptive input to the joints and muscles, helping the brain better understand where the body is positioned in space. This enhanced body awareness—also known as kinesthesia—can lead to:
Improved coordination
Increased postural control
Reduced involuntary movement
Greater confidence with mobility
By promoting gentle joint compression and co-contraction, the OTvest™ supports postural stability and improved functional movement for individuals with tremors, ataxia, and balance challenges.
Trunk Stability = Better Daily Function
The OTvest™ stabilizes the trunk by applying weight to the shoulder-girdle area, helping control balance and distal movement of the arms and hands.
Mild pressure across the back encourages the scapulae to rest flatter against the body, improving core stability. When the trunk is stabilized, everyday activities often become more controlled, including:
Drinking from a cup
Combing hair
Keyboarding
Writing or holding utensils
Self-care and grooming tasks
Many wearers report reduced tremors, improved balance, and a greater sense of grounding while wearing the OTvest™.
Clinician-Designed, Therapist-Trusted
The OTvest™ was designed by N. VandenBerg, MS, OTR, an occupational therapist trained in both NDT and Bobath techniques by Berta and Karel Bobath themselves.
During clinical practice, she observed dramatic functional improvements when trunk stability was supported. In one case, a three-year-old child with encephalitis and severe uncontrolled arm movement was unable to grasp toys. Once fitted with a weighted vest, the child was able to pick up and play with toys—gaining essential hand and finger experience needed for future self-feeding and independence.
Today, individuals from early childhood through their late 90s report meaningful improvements in tremor control, balance, and daily functioning while wearing the OTvest™.
Real Stories. Real Results.
“The vest has been amazing. It has actually made my arms usable again… The dystonic movements are almost gone with the OTvest™ on.” Jennifer Zubko, Canada — Dystonia / Ataxia
“The OTvest™ makes my feet feel like they are touching the ground. I feel more secure when walking.” Lili Kazepis, Brooklyn, NY — Cerebellar Ataxia
“When I wear the vest, I can walk without swaying and feel secure. I no longer need medication for sleep.” Robin Stevenson, Gainesville, FL — Cerebellar Ataxia
“We see a remarkable difference in walking stability and confidence when she wears the OTvest™.” Eileen Branham, PT — Gainesville, FL
“It feels like my therapist’s hands on my shoulders. I don’t want to take it off.” Jennifer Zubko, Canada
“It keeps me straight and more balanced. The snaps work great.” Cathy Letson, SCA-1 Ataxia, GA
“When I put it on during dizziness, it disappears almost immediately.” Peter Lee, Penang, Malaysia
For more of the "real stories" testimonials by these customers, please scroll below
Research-Supported Results
Research has shown that weight applied to the shoulder area in individuals with cerebellar ataxia—including those with multiple sclerosis—can significantly reduce lateral (side-to-side) sway:
Lucy & Hayes, 1985
Widener, Allen & Gibson-Horn, 2009
One OTvest™ wearer, Robin, experienced such improved stability that she no longer required wall support or therapist assistance when wearing the vest.
A Natural Support Option for Movement Disorders
If you’re seeking a non-invasive, therapist-designed solution to support trunk stability, balance, and tremor reduction, the OTvest™ weighted vest may be exactly what you’ve been looking for.
Research has shown that weight applied in the shoulder area of persons with cerebellar ataxia, including those with multiple sclerosis, improved their lateral (side-to-side) sway when six pounds of weight was applied (Lucy and Hayes, 1985). Another study demonstrated improvement in lateral sway using even less weight (Widener, Allen, Gibson-Horn, 2009).
VIDEO With and Without Wearing the OTvest
Robin, an OTvest™ wearer with cerebellar ataxia, began wearing the weighted vest in the hopes that it would reduce her lateral sway. The OTvest™ provided such an effective treatment for cerebellar ataxia in her case that Robin no longer needs to hold onto a wall or depend on support from her physical therapist when she wears the OTvest™. Robin’s before and after experience wearing the weighted vest was recorded and is demonstrated below.
NOTE: In this video, Robin is wearing an OTvest™ size medium with 4 lb. of weight.
Those who have used the OTvest™ as a treatment for Parkinson’s, a treatment for dystonia, a treatment for ataxia, and so much more, have written letters explaining how much the OTvest™ has benefitted their lives. Here are a few of the testimonials in more depth:
"The vest has been amazing. It has actually made my arms usable again… to play the keyboard. [I] learned that if I wear the vest, I have more use of my more affected left hand, and can isolate the keys better...The dystonic movements are almost gone with the [OTvest™] on." Jennifer Zubko, dystonic adult in Canada (ataxic)
"The OTvest™ makes my feet feel more like they are touching the ground. I feel grounded, more secure when walking." Lili Kazepis, Brooklyn, New York cerebellar ataxia
"I got the OTvest™ (sic)… and I was able to sleep through the whole night. Usually, I have to take medication but I haven’t had to touch it since I got the vest. The OTvest™ helps me to stabilize my trunk… with the vest, I am able to walk without swaying back and forth and having to hold on and grab things. It helps give me a feeling of security..it helps me get things done." Robin Stevenson, Gainsville, Florida, cerebellar ataxia (quoted from video, linked below)
"In physical therapy we have been working on stability and core control (with Robin). We have noticed a remarkable difference when walking with the OTvest™ and walking without it. When she first came to physical therapy, she wouldn’t walk in a crowd because she thought she would fall and now she is able to walk through the gym with other patients coming in when she wears the OTvest™. She is far more stable and confident." Eileen Branham, physical therapist, Gainsville, FL (quoted from video, linked below)
"Just received my OTvest™ less than an hour ago. I love it and can already tell I am using my arms better. I am even being more accurate with the keyboard as I sit to type this. My PT and therapeutic riding instructor have been working very hard on my shoulders and arms this week, as they were extremely tight. I put on the vest and they went immediately limp. It is as if I don't have any tone at all in that area, which of course, has calmed my whole system down. The vest feels very much like my therapist's hands constantly on my shoulders. First impressions are that I love it! I don't want to take it off!" Thank you for everything. Jennifer Zubko, Canada
"The vest seems to keep me straight not going to one side like I do. It makes me walk more straight without leaning towards one side. I am 50, had Ataxia SCA1 since 38, 130 pounds, wear 10 or 12. The vest has the 3 pounds... It works good with keeping me more balanced and grounded. My muscles are very weak and sore from the ataxia. I also can't button things. The snaps work great." Cathy Letson, Sca 1 ataxia, Claxton, GA 6/16
"Dear OTvest,
I have been using the vest for about a month now.
Although I bought it to help my walking, instead, I use it to reduce my dizziiness. When I put it on when I am dizzy, it disappears almost immediately. It really is so effective. Then I lie down on my lazy chair for around 10 minutes and I am ok. My OTvest is with me now 24 hours a day.
Thank you OTvest."
Peter Lee, Penang, Malaysia
The genuine OTvest label
Look for the yellow "OTvest™" label on the chest pocket to make sure you are getting the genuine OTvest™. Others may look like the OTvest™ from the outside, but the weight placement is important.
Only the OTvest™ has the patented weighted insert with weight lying directly upon the body. This makes the difference!
→Place an order by clicking here to experience the stability and calming effect of the OTvest.
Note: The OTvest™ is not recommended for those with spinal cord problems and the accompanying balance problems associated with those disorders, such as herniated or dislocated discs, degenerative disc disease, or other spinal cord injuries. The balance problems that benefit from the OTvest, weighted vest are those with upper motor neuron and/or cerebellar problems described in the first paragraph.
References:
Chase RA, Cullen JK, Sullivan SA. Modification of intention tremor in man, Nature 1965;4983:485-7.
Clopton N, Schultz D, Boren C, Porter J, Brillhart T. Effects of axial loading on gait for subjects with cerebellar ataxia: preliminary findings. Neurol Report 2003;27:15-21.
Gillen, G. (2000). Improving activities of daily living performance in an adult with ataxia. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, (54)1:89-94.
Hewer RL, Cooper R, Morgan MH. An investigation into the value of treating intention tremor by weighting the affected limb.,Brain 1972;95:570-90.
Lucy SD, Hayes KC. Postural sway profiles: normal subjects and subjects with cerebellar ataxia. Physiother Can 1985;37: 140-8.
Morgan MH, Hewer RL, Cooper R. Application of an objective method of assessing intention tremor–a further study on the use of weights to reduce intention tremor. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 1975;38:259-64.
Morgan MH. Ataxia and weights, Physiotherapy 1975;61: 332-4.
Smedal T, Lydren H, Myhr KM, et al. Balance and gait improved in patients with MS after physiotherapy based on the Bobath concept. Physiother Res Int 2006;11:104-16.
Widener GL, Allen DD, Gibson-Horn C. Balance-based torso-weighting may enhance balance in persons with multiple sclerosis: preliminary evidence. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2009;90:602-9.
