NEW YORK -- January 13, 2009 -- Pneumatic compression devices (PCDs) may be an alternative therapy for restless legs syndrome (RLS), according to a study published in the January issue of the journal CHEST.
Christopher J. Lettieri, MD, and Arn H. Eliasson, MD, Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, DC, conducted a prospective, randomised, double-blinded trial to assess the efficacy of PCDs as a nonpharmacologic treatment for RLS.
A total of 35 patients with RLS were randomised to wear either a therapeutic or subtherapeutic (sham) device prior to the usual onset of RLS symptoms for a minimum of 1 hour daily. Measures of severity of illness, quality of life, daytime sleepiness, and fatigue were compared at baseline and after 1 month of therapy.
Therapeutic compression devices significantly improved all measured variables compared with shams. RLS Severity Score improved from 14.1 +- 3.9 to 8.4 +- 3.4 (P = .006) and the Johns Hopkins Restless Legs Scale improved from 2.2 +- 0.5 to 1.2 +- 0.7 (P = .01).
All quality-of-life domains also were improved in patients who wore PCDs compared with those who wore shams, including social function (14% vs 1%, P = .03), daytime function (21% vs 6%, P = .02), sleep quality (16% vs 8%, P = .05), and emotional well-being (17% vs 10%, P = .15).
Complete relief occurred in one-third of subjects using therapeutic and in no subjects using sham devices. Researchers concluded that pneumatic compression devices may be an effective nonpharmacologic therapy for RLS.
SOURCE: American College of Chest Physicians
E-Mail this DGNews to a colleague
