Introduction

Introduction

What is BlueBuzzah?

BlueBuzzah v3 is a DIY vibrotactile glove system designed for Parkinson's disease therapy research. The gloves deliver precisely timed vibration patterns to the fingertips based on Dr. Peter Tass's vibrotactile Coordinated Reset (vCR) therapy research.

How vCR Therapy Works

The gloves deliver vibration bursts to each fingertip in a specific sequence. The pattern is designed to desynchronize abnormal neural activity associated with Parkinson's disease symptoms. Each fingertip receives a short vibration burst, with the timing between fingers carefully controlled.

Regular vCR Mode

In regular mode, the vibration pattern follows a fixed sequence across the fingertips with consistent timing.

Noisy vCR Mode

Noisy vCR adds controlled randomness ("jitter") to the timing, which research suggests may enhance therapeutic effects.

For the underlying research, see the Coordinated Reset Vibrotactile Stimulation Study. This project implements a DIY interpretation of that research; it is not a clinical device, and it has not itself been the subject of a published trial. Read Disclaimers before going further.

Key Features

• Wireless synchronization between left and right gloves via Bluetooth LE
• Two therapy modes: Regular vCR and Noisy vCR (with jitter)
• Adjustable intensity for personalized comfort
• Open-source design with freely available schematics and code

What Building One Involves

A pair of gloves means two of everything: two PCBs, two sets of five tactors (one per finger — index, middle, ring, pinky, thumb), two enclosures, two batteries. Building involves ordering and receiving a custom PCB, flashing firmware, building the tactor assemblies, wiring a glove harness, and assembling everything into a wearable enclosure. The Build Status page tracks which of these steps are currently complete, in progress, or blocked — read it before you order parts, since some parts of the v3 build (notably the enclosure) are not yet finished.

The PCB itself arrives fully assembled from the factory, and the tactor's wire-to-LRA connection is a friction fit made by a printed wire plug — so there's no soldering anywhere in this build. What it does ask of you is patience with small parts: stripping and crimping fine wires, assembling the small printed tactor housings, and being comfortable flashing firmware onto a microcontroller. Start with Parts and Tools List to gauge what's involved before committing.

Who Should Not Attempt This Alone

This is a DIY research device, not a medical product. It has not received FDA approval or clearance, and it makes no guarantee of therapeutic benefit. If you or someone you're building for has Parkinson's disease, talk to a treating physician before using vibrotactile stimulation as part of a therapy routine — this project is not a substitute for medical care, and self-directed experimentation with therapy timing or intensity should not happen without that guidance. See Disclaimers for the full medical and liability disclaimer.

If you are building this for someone else — a family member, a research participant — make sure they understand what the device does and does not do, and that they are involved in decisions about how it is used.

Resources

• GitHub Repository: BlueBuzzah-Hardware
• Research Paper: Coordinated Reset Vibrotactile Stimulation Study

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