Effect of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) on Patients with Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS): A Short Report (randomized clinical trial)

Authors

  • Ali Abedi Department of Nursing, Esfarayen Faculty of Medical Sciences, Esfarayen, Iran Author
  • Mossa Reza Tadoynfar Department of Nursing, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Sabzevar University of Medical Science, Sabzevar, Iran Author
  • Mohammad Ghasem Tabei Department of Internal medicine, Esfarayen Faculty of Medical Sciences, Esfarayen, Iran Author
  • Zohreh Dastband Department of Nursing, Esfarayen Faculty of Medical Sciences, Esfarayen, Iran Author
  • Younes Ghorbani Physiotherapist, Esfarayen Faculty of Medical Sciences, Esfarayen, Iran Author
  • Freshteh Eydi Department of Nursing, Esfarayen Faculty of Medical Sciences, Esfarayen, Iran Author

Keywords:

Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS), Restless Legs, Willis-Ekbom Disease

Abstract

Purpose: Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) is a motor and neurological disorder that is associated with a sense of urgency to move the legs. It is necessary to use non-pharmacological treatments to reduce the symptoms of this syndrome. Methods: The present study is a two-group clinical trial, in which transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) intervention was performed on 20 patients (10 patients in each group) for 3 sessions in 3 consecutive days. The aim of this research was to evaluate the effect of TENS on RLS in patients with this complaint referring to a private medical center.Results: The mean age of participants was 46.56 ± 9.16 years. There was a significant difference in RLS levels before and after the final intervention in each group. There was no significant difference of RLS rate between the two groups after final intervention.Conclusion: If future studies with a larger sample size confirm the results of the present study, patients can use a portable TENS according to the advice of a physician at home to reduce nocturnal symptoms associated with RLS syndrome.

References

Mitchell UH. “Medical devices for restless legs syndrome - clinical utility of the Relaxis pad”. Ther Clin Risk Manag 11(2015):1789-1794.

Bagheri R, Abedi P, Mousavi P, Azimi N. “The prevalence of restless legs syndrome and its relationship with demographic characteristics and medical disorders in postmenopausal Iranian women” . Health Care for Women International 39(2018);1317-1325.

Fereshtehnejad SM, Rahmani A, Shafieesabet M, Soori M, Delbari A, et al. “Prevalence and associated comorbidities of restless legs syndrome (RLS): Data from a large populationbased door-to-door survey on 19176 adults in Tehran, Iran”. PloS one. 12(2017).

Harrison EG, Keating JL, Morgan PE. “Non-pharmacological interventions for restless legs syndrome: a systematic review of randomised controlled trials”. Disabil Rehabil 41(2019):2006- 2014.

Guay A, Houle M, O’Shaughnessy J, Descarreaux M. “Current Evidence on Diagnostic Criteria, Relevant Outcome Measures, and Efficacy of Nonpharmacologic Therapy in the Management of Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS): A Scoping Review”. J Manipulative Physiol Ther 43(2020): 930-941.

Svetel MV, Jovic JS, Pekmezovic TD, Kostic VS. “Quality of life in patients with primary restless leg syndrome: communitybased study”. Neurological Sciences 36(2015): 1345-1351.

Waldinger MD, de Lint GJ, Venema PL, van Gils AP, Schweitzer DH. “Successful transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation in two women with restless genital syndrome: the role of adeltaand C-nerve fibers”. J Sexual Med 7(2010):1190-1199.

Harrison EG, Keating JL, Morgan PE. “Non-pharmacological interventions for restless legs syndrome: a systematic review of randomised controlled trials”. Disabil Rehabil 41(2019): 41(17):2006-2014.

Ghanei Gheshlagh R, Farajzadeh M, Zarei M, Baghi V, Dalvand S, et al. “The Prevalence of Restless Legs Syndrome in Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis: A Systematic Review and Metaanalysis Study”. Basic Clin Neurosci J 8(2017): 105-112.

Walters AS, LeBrocq C, Dhar A, Hening W, Rosen R, et al. “Validation of the International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group rating scale for restless legs syndrome”. Sleep Med 4(2003): 121-132.

Heide AC, Winkler T, Helms HJ, Nitsche MA, Trenkwalder C, et al. “Effects of Transcutaneous Spinal Direct Current Stimulation in Idiopathic Restless Legs Patients”. Brain Stimul 7(2014): 636-642.

Downloads

Published

2021-06-22