• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.42 no.5
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• pp.991-1000
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• 2021

Objective: This study examined the effectiveness of Korean medical treatment for an 81-year-old female patient with pontine infarction complaining of discomfort in both legs. Methods: The patient was hospitalized for 45 days and treated with herbal medicine (mainly Bohyulanshin-tang [補血安神湯], pharmacopuncture, acupuncture, electroacupuncture, and moxibustion). We used the International Restless Legs Scale (IRLS) and Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) and checked the duration of the symptoms to evaluate the clinical effects of the treatment. Results: After 45 days of hospitalization, the IRLS score decreased from 33 to 19, with the lowest score of 8 recorded on the twenty-seventh day after discharge. The NRS score and the duration of symptoms also improved, and the treatment effect continued following discharge. Conclusions: This study suggests that Korean medical treatment may be effective for the treatment of restless legs.

• Journal of Sleep Medicine
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.62-67
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• 2018

Objectives: Restless leg syndrome (RLS) is a common sensorimotor disorder and is frequently associated with periodic limb movement in sleep (PLMS). Also about one third of patient with RLS have periodic limb movement during wakefulness (PLMW). However there is little research on the correlation between PLMW and RLS. We aimed to evaluate difference in sleep characteristics between patients with RLS with PLMW and those without PLMW. Methods: Our study included twenty eight RLS patients. Subjects underwent suggested immobilization test (SIT) prior to one full-night polysomnography study. Patients were classified into two groups according to the presence of PLMW based on SIT-PLMW index. Polysomnographic findings, subjective sleep quality, and hematologic results were analyzed and compared between the two groups. Results: Mean age of patient with frequent PLMW (SIT-PLMW ${\geq}40/hr$) was significantly higher. RLS patients with frequent PLMW were also significantly related to insomnia severity. The PLMS index was higher in patients with PLMW and showed a significant correlation with the PLMW index. Conclusions: PLMW influence sleep quality such as insomnia and is correlated with movement during sleep.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.107-113
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• 2014

Objectives Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a sleep disorder characterized by uncomfortable and unpleasant sensations in the legs and an urge to move the legs, usually at night. The aim of this study is to investigate the incidence of RLS in patients with late life depression and its influence on various clinical outcomes such as severity of depression, sleep quality, cognitive function, and quality of life and accordingly, to elucidate the clinical significance of RLS in patients with late life depression (LLD). Methods This study enlisted 170 depressive patients aged 65 years or older from an outpatient clinic. Structured diagnostic interviews were performed using the Korean version of the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview. All patients completed the questionnaires, including the International RLS Severity Scale, the Korean version of Short-Form 36-Item Health Survey (SF-36), and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). The severity of depression was evaluated by the Korean form of the Geriatric Depression Scale (KGDS) and the level of global cognition was assessed by the Mini-Mental State Examination in the Korean version of The Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Packet (MMSE-KC). Results The incidence of RLS was 17.6% in LLD patients. RLS was more prevalent among the subjects with major depressive disorder (MDD) than those with minor depressive disorder or subsyndromal depressive disorder. The RLS group showed higher score in the KGDS than the Non-RLS group but the difference did not reach the statistical significance (p = 0.095, Student t-test). The mean PSQI score was significantly higher in the RLS group than in the Non-RLS group (p = 0.001, Student t-test). The MMSE-KC score was also lower in the RLS group than in Non-RLS group (p = 0.009, analysis of covariance). But, there was no difference in the score of SF-36 between the RLS group and the Non-RLS group. Conclusions RLS is common in LLD patients, especially in the patients with MDD and is associated with poor sleep quality and cognitive dysfunction, indicating that RLS is clinically significant in patients with LLD. Therefore, RLS should be considered as an important clinical issue in the management of LLD.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.116-129
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• 2018

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of electroacupuncture on heat sensation of the feet of a 61-year-old female patient with restless leg syndrome. Methods: Electroacupuncture was performed at four acupoints (KI3 (太谿), KI6 (照海), LR3 (太衝), LR2 (行間)) selected to reduce heat sensation in both feet. The patient's symptoms were assessed using the VAS (Visual Analogue Scale), the SF-MPQ (short-form McGill Pain Questionnaire), and the IRLS (International Restless Legs Scale). The treatment was performed from April 20, 2010 to April 24, 2010. Results: During five sessions of electroacupuncture treatments, the VAS, SF-MPQ, and IRLS scores improved throughout the treatment period and afterwards. Conclusions: The results suggest that electroacupuncture at KI3(太谿), KI6(照海), LR3(太衝), LR2(行間) can be effective for reducing hot flush in both feet.

• Journal of Acupuncture & Meridian Studies
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• v.11 no.6
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• pp.380-380
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• 2018

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.975-981
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• 2008

Restless leg syndrome(RLS) is a sensorimotor disorder characterized by a distressing urge to move the legs and triggered by rest or inactivity. It is usually accompanied with insomnia. We experienced two cases of RLS among ischemic stroke patients. They complained uncomfortable sensation in their affected leg and urge to move the leg at night. We treated them with electro-acupuncture, moxibustion and herbal medicine until retiring. As a result, the symptoms including unpleasant sensation or pain, urge to move the leg and insomnia had withdrawn. These cases suggest the possibility that we can treat RLS with oriental medicine, especially in the case which is refractory to conventional medication or shows periodic leg movements during sleep.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.250-258
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• 2020

Background: Dopamine receptor agonists (DRAs) have been associated with impulse control disorders (ICDs) in Parkinson's disease (PD) in preliminary studies. Whether the association holds true when DRAs are used to treat non-PD, such as restless legs syndrome, prolactinoma, and several mood disorders is uncertain. Objective: The present study aimed to understand the research gaps related to the risk of ICDs associated with pramipexole or ropinirole (PRX/ROP) use as a treatment for specific underlying diseases, excluding Parkinson's disorders. Methods: We conducted a scoping review, systematically searching databases to identify literature on the types, prevalence, and factors associated with ICD in non-PD patients receiving PRX/ROP. All relevant information that helped understand the epidemiology of ICDs among non-PD patients taking PRX/ROP were extracted and analyzed. We also evaluated the potential associations between PRX/ROP and ICDs, utilizing the Naranjo scale or statistical analysis, depending on the type of literature. Results: We included 24 articles (19 case reports or case series and 5 population-based studies) in this scoping review. Evaluating the 19 case reports or case series using Naranjo scores led to the discovery of a possible link between PRX/ROP exposure and ICDs. However, important information to assess causality is frequently missing. Moreover, the population-based studies lack diversity in the study populations and enough study samples to draw conclusive results. Conclusion: Our scoping review suggests that the currently available literature requires more details in future case reports and for well-powered studies in various disease conditions where PRX/ROP is frequently used.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.67-71
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• 2011

Schizophrenia is a chronic, currently incurable, and devastating syndrome. Although sleep disturbances are not primary symptoms of schizophrenia, they are important aspects of schizophrenia. Difficulties initiating or maintaining sleep are frequently encountered in patients with schizophrenia. Many schizophrenics report low subjective sleep quality. Measured by polysomnography, increased sleep latency as well as reduced total sleep time, sleep efficiency, slow wave sleep, and rapid eye movement sleep latency (REM latency), are found in most patients with schizophrenia and appear to be an important aspect of the pathophysiology of this disorder. Some literatures suggest that worsening sleep quality precedes schizophrenic exacerbations. Co-morbid sleep disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and restless legs syndrome (RLS), and sleep-disrupting behaviors associated with schizophrenia may lead to sleep disturbances. Clinicians should screen the patient with sleep complaints for primary sleep disorders like OSA and RLS, and carefully evaluate sleep hygiene behaviors of all patients with schizophrenia who complain of sleep disturbances.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.10-16
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• 2011

There has been a growing interest in sleep problems associated with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). In this paper, we reviewed the current literature on the underlying sleep problems associated with ADHD. Sleep problems are very common in children with ADHD. Patients with ADHD may have sleep difficulties including difficulty falling asleep, frequent night awakening, increased tiredness upon waking. Children with ADHD are associated to restless legs syndrome, periodic limb movement and sleep-disordered breathing. Screening for other psychiatric comorbidities and the side effects of medications, such as psychostimulants, is also necessary when considering sleep problems in ADHD. Sleep problems can cause a negative impact on the quality of life and emotional well-being both of children with ADHD and their parents. Many evidences suggest that assessment of sleep difficulties should be included in evaluating the patient of ADHD.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.59-62
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• 2013

Alcohol has been used as sedatives historically. The effect of alcohol on sleep is different according to its dose, timing of ingestion, and drinking frequency. Sleep problems may play a role in the development and course of alcohol-related disorders. Insomnia in alcohol-dependent patients is common and early treatment of insomnia may reduce the rate of relapse. Sleep apnea, restless legs syndrome, periodic limbs movement disorder, and altered circadian rhythm may be more frequent in this patients. Management of sleep and alcohol problems is important in treating alcohol-related disorder and sleep disorders, respectively.