• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.163-174
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• 2013

Restless legs syndrome(RLS) is a neurological disorder characterized by an irresistible urge to move legs to stop uncomfortable or odd sensations. We report a new approach to improve RLS using acupuncture and massage on iliopsoas Muscle. The patients who have RLS were treated by acupuncture and massage on iliopsoas Muscle. We measured 3~6 times IRLS(Korean Versoin of International Restless Legs Scale), VAS(visual analogue scale), and angle(between the legs and the table) during the treatment period. After treatment, RLS symptoms decreased, In case 1, IRLS changed 34 to 10, VAS changed 8 to 2, angle changed 20 to 5. In case 2, IRLS changed 22 to 12, VAS changed 10 to 5, angle changed 15 to 10. In case 3, IRLS changed 30 to 9, VAS changed 8 to 1, angle changed 25 to 5. Acupuncture and massage on iliopsoas muscle for RLS was effective. To effective acupuncture treatment for RLS, more research is needed.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.270-278
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• 2019

Objective: In this case report, we address the case of a 68-year-old woman with numbness in both soles due to restless legs syndrome. Methods: A patient was treated with Korean medicine including herbal medication Gyejibokryeong-hwan during 73 days as an outpatient. We evaluated the improvements of symptoms by use of the International Restless Legs Scale (IRLS) and checking subjective symptoms of patient. Results: After 73 days of Korean medicine treatment, there was improvement in patient's symptoms. IRLS score improved from 12 to 8, and subjective symptoms improved to about 30% compared to the first time. Conclusions: This study suggested that Korean medicine treatments might be effective in RLS patient recovery.

• The Journal of the Society of Stroke on Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2021

■ Objectives The purpose of this case study is to report the effectiveness of Gami Ssanghwa-tang on the restless legs syndrome patient. ■ Methods The patient was treated with Korean medicine, including herbal medication Gami Ssanghwa-tang for 26 days and acupuncture for once a week as an out patient. The evaluation was performed using the Korean versions of the International Restless Legs Scale(K-IRLS). ■ Results After 34 days of treatment, the K-IRLS total score improved from 24 to 8. And at the follow up session(7 days after end of treatment), the K-IRLS total score improved to 0. ■ Conclusion This study suggested that herbal medicine, Gami Ssanghwa-tang might be effective in Restless legs syndrome.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.43-52
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• 2021

Restless Legs Syndrome/Willis-Ekbom Disease (RLS/WED) is a sleep disorder characterized by sensorimotor symptoms such as unpleasant sensations before sleep, akathisia, and periodic limb movements during sleep. It is also closely related to hyperarousal and is often accompanied by insomnia. Although the mechanism is not clear, the understanding of etiology and pathophysiology has greatly expanded through recent advances in genetic and neurobiological research. The most important pathophysiology of RLS/WED is brain iron deficiency. Such iron deficiency in the brain is caused by complex interactions between several genetic factors and various environmental factors, including comorbidities. Iron deficiency in the brain results in dysfunction of several neurotransmitters. A decrease in adenosine activity appears first, followed by an increase in the activity of glutamate and dopamine. A decrease in adenosine activity and an increase in glutamate activity stimulate the brain arousal system, resulting in hyperarousal. In addition, overproduction of dopamine and glutamate leads to dysfunction of the cortical-striatal-thalamic circuit, resulting in symptoms such as akathisia and periodic limb movements during sleep.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.113-120
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• 2018

Objectives The purpose of this case is to report the effectiveness of oriental medicine in Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) in children who have sleep disorder. Methods A 6-year-old male patient, who was suffering from RLS, was treated by acupuncture, moxibustion and myofascial release. Results Treated with oriental medicine, the patient's RLS symptoms and sleep disorder were significantly improved. And the patient maintains his condition for 8 months. Conclusions This study shows that oriental medical treatments are effective on RLS, but further clinical studies are necessary.

• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.36-38
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• 2007

The pathomechanisms involved in both restless legs syndrome (RLS) and complex regional pain syndrome type I (CRPS I) are still controversial whether they are central or peripheral origins. We recently encountered a patient who had an unusual coexistence of both RLS and CRPS I, and both of which showed good responses to sympathetic block. These findings suggest the role of peripheral mechanisms, especially unmyelinated small autonomic fiber, in both RLS and CRPS I.

• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.98-100
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• 2008

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a sensorimotor neurological disorder in which the primary symptom is a compelling urge to move the legs, accompanied by unpleasant and disturbing sensations in the legs. Although pathophysiologic mechanism of RLS is still unclear, several evidences suggest that RLS is related to dysfunction in central nervous system involving brain and spinal cord. L-DOPA, as the precursor of dopamine, as well as dopamine agonists, plays an essential role in the treatment of RLS leading to the assumption of a key role of dopamine function in the pathophysiology of RLS. Patients with RLS have lower levels of dopamine in the substantia nigra and respond to iron administration. Iron, as a cofactor in dopamine production, plays a central role in the etiology of RLS. Functional neuroimaging studies using PET and SPECT support a central striatal D2 receptor abnormality in the pathophysiology of RLS. Functional MRI suggested a central generator of periodic limb movements during sleep (PLMs) in RLS. However, to date, we have no direct evidence of pathogenic mechanisms of RLS.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.39-43
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• 2008

Objectives: The pathophysiology of restless legs syndrome (RLS) is not obvious, but many promising theories involve dopaminergic deficiency and genetic causes. The RLS is presumed to occur more frequently among schizophrenic patients who take antipsychotics, most of which blocks the dopamine receptors. This study aimed to investigate whether dopamine transporter gene (DAT1) 40 base pair (bp) variable number of tandem repeat (VNTR) polymorphism is associated with the antipsychotic-induced RLS in schizophrenia. Methods: We determined the diagnosis of RLS among the 190 Korean schizophrenic patients by the diagnostic criteria of the International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group (IRLSSG). Genotyping was performed for the 40bp VNTR in DAT1 gene using polymerase chain reaction. Results: We separated the schizophrenic patients into 44 patients with RLS and 146 patients without RLS. The genotype and allele frequencies did not differ significantly between two groups. Conclusions: These results suggest that DAT1 gene 40bp VNTR is not associated with the antipsychotic-induced RLS in schizophrenia. To confirm these results, larger-scale association study is needed in the future.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.84-87
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• 2000

The periodic limb movement (PLM) disorder is a disease of motor sign mainly in the lower extremities, whereas the restless leg syndrome (RLS) accompanies sensory symptoms in the lower extremities. These two disorders may occur in the one patient, which implies possible common pathophysiological background in those disorders. The aim of this article is to review the clinical features, diagnostic criteria, electrophysiological characteristics of the two disorders and their relation to neurological disorders.

• The Journal of the Society of Stroke on Korean Medicine
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.111-117
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• 2012

Object : The purpose of this study is to report the effect of acupuncture for Restless Leg Syndrome in ischemic stroke patient. Methods : Ischemic stroke patient was admitted who was suffering from a distressing urge to move the legs and triggered by rest or inactivity accompanied with insomnia. The patient was diagnosed with Restless Leg Syndrome. In the point of Differentiation of Syndromes(辨證), we diagnosed this patient as deficiency of yin(陰虛) and treated with acupuncture. Results : After acupuncture, the symtoms including unpleasant sensation or pain, urge to move the leg and insomnia had withdrawn. Conclusions : This case suggest the possiblity of acupuncture for Restless Leg Syndrome and more researches should be followed.