Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for the Treatment of Restless Legs Syndrome |
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Authors: | Yi-Cong Lin Yang Feng Shu-Qin Zhan Ning Li Yan Ding Yue Hou Li Wang Hua Lin Ying Sun Zhao-Yang Huang Qing Xue Yu-Ping Wang |
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Affiliation: | 1.Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100053, China;2.Beijing Key Laboratory of Neuromodulation, Beijing 100053, China;3.Department of Neurology, Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050035, China;4.Center of Epilepsy, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Laboratory of Brain Disorders, Capital Medical University, Ministry of Science and Technology, Beijing 100069, China |
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Abstract: | Background:Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a noninvasive technique used to alter cortex excitability that has been proposed as an efficient method for treating brain hyperexcitability or hypoexcitability disorders. The aim of this study was to investigate whether high-frequency rTMS could have any beneficial effects in restless legs syndrome (RLS).Methods:Fourteen patients with RLS were given high-frequency rTMS (15 Hz, 100% motor threshold) to the leg representation motor cortex area of the frontal lobe for 14 sessions over 18 days. Patients were diagnosed according to the international criteria proposed by the International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group in 2003. The International RLS Rating Scale (IRLS-RS), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA) and Hamilton Depression Scale were used to evaluate the severity of RLS, sleep quality, anxiety and depression, respectively. The scale scores were evaluated at four-time points (baseline, end of the 14th session, and at 1- and 2-month posttreatment). One-way analysis of variance was used to compare scale scores at different time points.Results:There was significant improvement in the IRLS-RS (from 23.86 ± 5.88 to 11.21 ± 7.23, P < 0.05), PSQI (from 15.00 ± 4.88 to 9.29 ± 3.91, P < 0.05), and HAMA (from 17.93 ± 7.11 to 10.36 ± 7.13, P < 0.05) scale scores at the end of 14th session, with ongoing effects lasting for at least 2 months.Conclusions:High-frequency rTMS can markedly alleviate the motor system symptoms, sleep disturbances, and anxiety in RLS patients. These results suggest that rTMS might be an option for treating RLS. |
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Keywords: | Anxiety Depression Restless Legs Syndrome Sleep Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation |
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