Article

The purpose of this study was to determine whether the application of near
infrared (NIR) light could positively modulate symptoms associated with restless
legs syndrome (RLS). Twenty-one subjects with RLS were treated with NIR three
times weekly for four weeks. Baseline measures of:
(1) international restless
legs syndrome rating scale (IRLSRS) score; (2) Semmes Weinstein monofilament
(SWM) test; (3) visual analog pain scale (VAS); (4) ankle-brachial index (ABI);
and (5) sonographic imaging of the popliteal and posterior tibial arteries were
compared to post-treatment values. NIR (850 nm) was delivered transcutaneously at
8 J/cm(2) to four locations on each leg and the plantar surface of each foot. A
pre-test-post-test one group design was employed.
Baseline and post-treatment
measures were compared using either a dependent t-test when data were normal or
the Wilcoxon signed rank test in the absence of normality.
A significant
improvement in IRLSRS scores was observed. Sensation improved from less than
protective in 16.6% of sites tested at the baseline to 13.4% post-intervention.
There was a significant improvement in ABI scores.
VAS and sonographic imaging
measures other than ABI remained unchanged. The use of NIR to modulate symptoms
associated with RLS was supported by the data.
- Syndrome des jambes sans repos

Langue : ANGLAIS