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Abd-Elsayed A, Moghim R, Reffat N. Dorsal root ganglion stimulation (DRG-s) for potential resolution of restless leg syndrome symptoms and increased cost savings for patients: A case study. Pain Pract 2024; 24:805-807. [PMID: 38239056 DOI: 10.1111/papr.13349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION We report successful use of dorsal root ganglion stimulation (DRG-s) to treat a patient with persistent symptoms of restless leg syndrome (RLS). METHODS The treatment involved the placement of a small device millimeters away from the patient's DRG, which are nerves near the spinal cord that carry sensory information from the periphery of the body to the brain. The device automatically delivers electrical impulse to the DRG to alter and decrease pain perception in the brain. RESULTS Our case report elucidates the use of this procedure as a targeted therapy for RLS, with a nearly 90% reduction in reported symptoms in our patient, thus potentially reducing morbidity associated with this condition. Furthermore, we report a 10-year cost savings of nearly $90,000 following DRG-s for our patient. CONCLUSION This case study aims to demonstrate the effectiveness of DRG-s neuromodulation in managing RLS, a condition that is often difficult and costly to treat.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alaa Abd-Elsayed
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | | | - Noora Reffat
- University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
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Hackethal S, Maino P, Koetsier E, Manconi M. Spinal cord stimulation in severe pharmacoresistant restless legs syndrome-two case reports. Front Neurol 2023; 14:1219881. [PMID: 38099065 PMCID: PMC10720037 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1219881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Restless legs syndrome is a prevalent, sleep-related sensorimotor disorder with relevant impact on the patients' quality of life. For patients suffering from severe, pharmacoresistant restless legs syndrome, few therapeutic options remain to alleviate symptoms. In this case series, two patients with severe, pharmacoresistant restless legs syndrome were treated with epidural spinal cord stimulation and repeatedly assessed with polysomnography, including sleep structure and periodic limb movements as objective biomarkers not subject to placebo effects, during a 6-month follow-up period. One of the patients experienced excellent short- and long-term efficacy on subjective symptom severity (International RLS Study group rating scale 1 vs. 34 points at 3 months) and objective sleep parameters such as sleep architecture and periodic limb movements during sleep, while the second patient only reported short-term benefits from spinal cord stimulation. Ultimately, both patients opted for removal of the device for inefficacy. Based on the complex pathophysiology of restless legs syndrome and presumed mechanism of action of spinal cord stimulation in chronic pain disorders, we provide a detailed hypothesis on the possible modulating effect of spinal cord stimulation on the key symptoms of restless legs syndrome. Apart from describing a new therapeutic option for pharmacoresistant restless legs syndrome, our findings might also provide further insights into the pathophysiology of the syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Hackethal
- Sleep Medicine Unit, Neurocenter of Southern Switzerland, Lugano, Switzerland
| | - Paolo Maino
- Pain Management Center, Neurocenter of Southern Switzerland, Lugano, Switzerland
- Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Università Della Svizzera Italiana, Lugano, Switzerland
| | - Eva Koetsier
- Pain Management Center, Neurocenter of Southern Switzerland, Lugano, Switzerland
- Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Università Della Svizzera Italiana, Lugano, Switzerland
| | - Mauro Manconi
- Sleep Medicine Unit, Neurocenter of Southern Switzerland, Lugano, Switzerland
- Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Università Della Svizzera Italiana, Lugano, Switzerland
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital, Inselspital, Bern, Switzerland
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Pagani-Estévez GL, Holland MT, Tippmann-Peikert M, Benarroch EE, Silber MH, Carvalho DZ. Potential therapeutic benefit of spinal cord stimulation in restless legs syndrome: scoping review and mechanistic considerations. PAIN MEDICINE (MALDEN, MASS.) 2023; 24:S18-S23. [PMID: 37833049 DOI: 10.1093/pm/pnad089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2023] [Revised: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a prevalent sensorimotor disorder that can dramatically impair sleep quality, daytime function, and quality of life. Although many patients benefit from standard pharmacological therapy, some patients suffer from insufficient treatment response or medication intolerance. Novel treatment approaches are therefore necessary. OBJECTIVE Given the overlap between RLS and pain syndromes in both pathophysiological mechanisms and certain treatment options, we aimed to perform a scoping review of the available evidence on spinal cord stimulation (SCS) for RLS and discuss potential mechanistic implications. METHODS We identified a total of 16 cases of patients with RLS who underwent SCS, all from case reports or case series. DISCUSSION The published evidence is insufficient to assess SCS efficacy in patients with RLS, but SCS remains a promising investigational therapy in RLS on the basis of its potential mitigatory effects in the central hyperexcitability of the sensorimotor cortex through neuromodulation of spinal, subcortical, and cortical areas. A call for further research in this field is presented, with suggestions for future directions and trial designs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel L Pagani-Estévez
- Department of Interventional and Surgical Pain Management, Cincinnati Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45220, United States
| | - Marshall T Holland
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, United States
| | - Maja Tippmann-Peikert
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, United States
- Center for Sleep Medicine, Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, United States
| | | | - Michael H Silber
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, United States
- Center for Sleep Medicine, Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, United States
| | - Diego Z Carvalho
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, United States
- Center for Sleep Medicine, Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, United States
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Nilles C, Amorelli G, Pringsheim TM, Martino D. "Unvoluntary" Movement Disorders: Distinguishing between Tics, Akathisia, Restless Legs, and Stereotypies. Semin Neurol 2023; 43:123-146. [PMID: 36854394 DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-1764164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/02/2023]
Abstract
Tics, stereotypies, akathisia, and restless legs fall at different places on the spectrum of discrete, unwanted and potentially disabling motor routines. Unlike tremor, chorea, myoclonus, or dystonia, this subgroup of abnormal movements is characterized by the subject's variable ability to inhibit or release undesired motor patterns on demand. Though it may be sometimes clinically challenging, it is crucial to distinguish these "unvoluntary" motor behaviors because secondary causes and management approaches differ substantially. To this end, physicians must consider the degree of repetitiveness of the movements, the existence of volitional control, and the association with sensory symptoms, or cognitive-ideational antecedent. This review aims to summarize the current existing knowledge on phenomenology, diagnosis, and treatment of tics, stereotypies, akathisia, and restless leg syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christelle Nilles
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Gabriel Amorelli
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Tamara M Pringsheim
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Psychiatry, Pediatrics and Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research and Education, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Davide Martino
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research and Education, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
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Wong SG, Vorakunthada Y, Lee-Iannotti J, Johnson KG. Sleep-related motor disorders. HANDBOOK OF CLINICAL NEUROLOGY 2023; 195:383-397. [PMID: 37562879 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-323-98818-6.00012-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/12/2023]
Abstract
Sleep-related motor disorders include non-rapid-eye movement (NREM) sleep parasomnias, rapid-eye movement (REM), sleep parasomnias including REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD), isolated motor phenomena in sleep, and periodic limb movement disorder. Restless legs syndrome (RLS) occurs while awake but is closely related to sleep and has a circadian pattern. The pontine sublaterodorsal tegmental nucleus has an important role in aligning motor control with sleep states, and dysfunction in this region can explain motor activities including cataplexy and loss of REM atonia seen in REM sleep behavior disorder. This chapter begins with a review of motor control in sleep. The rest of the chapter summarizes the clinical presentation, epidemiology, differential and treatment of NREM, REM, and isolated sleep-related motor disorders as well as restless legs syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie G Wong
- Department of Medicine, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Phoenix, AZ, United States
| | - Yuttiwat Vorakunthada
- Department of Medicine, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Phoenix, AZ, United States
| | - Joyce Lee-Iannotti
- Department of Medicine, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Phoenix, AZ, United States
| | - Karin G Johnson
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Chan School of Medicine-Baystate, Springfield, MA, United States; Institute for Healthcare Delivery and Population Science, University of Massachusetts Chan School of Medicine-Baystate, Springfield, MA, United States.
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Abstract
Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a common sensorimotor disorder characterized by an urge to move that appears during rest or is exacerbated by rest, that occurs in the evening or night and that disappears during movement or is improved by movement. Symptoms vary considerably in age at onset, frequency and severity, with severe forms affecting sleep, quality of life and mood. Patients with RLS often display periodic leg movements during sleep or resting wakefulness. RLS is considered to be a complex condition in which predisposing genetic factors, environmental factors and comorbidities contribute to the expression of the disorder. RLS occurs alone or with comorbidities, for example, iron deficiency and kidney disease, but also with cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus and neurological, rheumatological and respiratory disorders. The pathophysiology is still unclear, with the involvement of brain iron deficiency, dysfunction in the dopaminergic and nociceptive systems and altered adenosine and glutamatergic pathways as hypotheses being investigated. RLS is poorly recognized by physicians and it is accordingly often incorrectly diagnosed and managed. Treatment guidelines recommend initiation of therapy with low doses of dopamine agonists or α2δ ligands in severe forms. Although dopaminergic treatment is initially highly effective, its long-term use can result in a serious worsening of symptoms known as augmentation. Other treatments include opioids and iron preparations.
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Amir A, Masterson RM, Halim A, Nava A. Restless Leg Syndrome: Pathophysiology, Diagnostic Criteria, and Treatment. PAIN MEDICINE 2021; 23:1032-1035. [PMID: 34402902 DOI: 10.1093/pm/pnab253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Adam Amir
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Ryan M Masterson
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Abdul Halim
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Andrew Nava
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
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Gossard TR, Trotti LM, Videnovic A, St Louis EK. Restless Legs Syndrome: Contemporary Diagnosis and Treatment. Neurotherapeutics 2021; 18:140-155. [PMID: 33880737 PMCID: PMC8116476 DOI: 10.1007/s13311-021-01019-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is characterized by an uncomfortable urge to move the legs while at rest, relief upon movement or getting up to walk, and worsened symptom severity at night. RLS may be primary (idiopathic) or secondary to pregnancy or a variety of systemic disorders, especially iron deficiency, and chronic renal insufficiency. Genetic predisposition with a family history is common. The pathogenesis of RLS remains unclear but is likely to involve central nervous system dopaminergic dysfunction, as well as other, undefined contributing mechanisms. Evaluation begins with a thorough history and examination, and iron measures, including ferritin and transferrin saturation, should be checked at presentation and with worsened symptoms, especially when augmentation develops. Augmentation is characterized by more intense symptom severity, earlier symptom occurrence, and often, symptom spread from the legs to the arms or other body regions. Some people with RLS have adequate symptom control with non-pharmacological measures such as massage or temperate baths. First-line management options include iron-replacement therapy in those with evidence for reduced body-iron stores or, alternatively, with prescribed gabapentin or pregabalin, and dopamine agonists such as pramipexole, ropinirole, and rotigotine. Second-line therapies include intravenous iron infusion in those who are intolerant of oral iron and/or those having augmentation with intense, severe RLS symptoms, and opioids including tramadol, oxycodone, and methadone. RLS significantly impacts patients' quality of life and remains a therapeutic area sorely in need of innovation and a further pipeline of new, biologically informed therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas R Gossard
- Mayo Center for Sleep Medicine, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA
| | | | | | - Erik K St Louis
- Mayo Center for Sleep Medicine, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA.
- Departments of Neurology and Clinical and Translational Research, Mayo Clinic Southwest Wisconsin, La Crosse, Wisconsin, USA.
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