title: Using near infrared light to manage symptoms associated with restless legs syndrome.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Physical Therapy , Arkansas State University , Jonesboro , AR , USA.
authors.forename: J Stephen
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Guffey
authors.affiliation: a Department of Physical Therapy , Arkansas State University , Jonesboro , AR , USA.
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Motts
authors.affiliation: b Department of Diagnostic Medical Sonography , Arkansas State University , Jonesboro , AR , USA.
authors.forename: Deanna
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Barymon
authors.affiliation: b Department of Diagnostic Medical Sonography , Arkansas State University , Jonesboro , AR , USA.
authors.forename: Amber
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wooten
authors.affiliation: a Department of Physical Therapy , Arkansas State University , Jonesboro , AR , USA.
authors.forename: Tim
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Clough
authors.affiliation: a Department of Physical Therapy , Arkansas State University , Jonesboro , AR , USA.
authors.forename: Emily
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Payne
authors.affiliation: a Department of Physical Therapy , Arkansas State University , Jonesboro , AR , USA.
authors.forename: McCall
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Henderson
authors.affiliation: a Department of Physical Therapy , Arkansas State University , Jonesboro , AR , USA.
authors.forename: Neal
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Tice
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D007259:Infrared Rays / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012148:Restless Legs Syndrome / Q000532:radiotherapy*
keywords: Near infrared light; restless legs syndrome