• 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.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.419-428
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• 2015

Objectives The aim of this study was to report an improvement on the symptoms of Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) after using Hyeongbangsabaeksan.Methods The patient was diagnosed with Soyangin Soyang-sangpung Symptomatology and treated with Hyeongbangsabaeksan. The patient's subjective symptoms of pain on the lower limb and discomfort in sleeping were observed using the Numerical Rating Scale(NRS) and Visual Analogue Scale(VAS) respectively during the treatment period. And other specific symptoms of RLS were assessed once per week for a total of three times with Korean Versions of the International Restless Legs Scale.Results and Conclusions The pain on the patient's lower limb decreased from NRS 4 to NRS 0 after one week of treatment. And discomfort in sleeping decreased from VAS 5.5 to VAS 0 after one week of treatment. Furthermore, the score of Korean Versions of the International Restless Legs Scale decreased from 40 to 5 after two weeks of treatment. In conclusion, this study shows that Sasang Constitutional Medicine can be an effective treatment for Soyangin patient with Restless Legs Syndrome as Soyangin Soyang-sangpung Symptomatology.

• 대한상한금궤의학회지
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.125-138
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• 2019

Objective : This study was intended to evaluate if treatment with Osuyu-Tang following the disease pattern identification diagnostic system based on Shanghanlun provisions (DPIDS) worked analyzing the progress of patients with migraine and restless legs syndrome and to reinterpret the provision of 309 Soyinbing Osuyu-Tang based on the analysis of whether it worked. Methods : Two cases treated with Soyinbing Osuyu-Tang were analyzed using DPIDS. The migraine and restless legs syndrome in both cases were evaluated using the migraine disability assessment (MIDAS) and the Korean versions of the international restless legs scale (K-IRLS), respectively. Results : In the first case, during 45 days of treatment, the MIDAS decreased from 10 days to 3 days. In the second case, during 30 days of treatment, the K-IRLS decreased from 30 to 9. In both cases, Soyinbing was associated with the disease, although the activity was less; and Leng (冷) was associated with numbness in the kneeling position. Conclusions : It was confirmed that treatment with Osuyu-Tang was effective against migraine and restless legs syndrome and that Leng could be associated with numbness in the kneeling position. The etymological analysis of the Shanghanlun characters suggested the possibility of further clarifying the clinical significance and interpretation of Shanghanlun.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.99-106
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• 2007

Objective: Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is known to be associated with chronic renal failure (CRF) patients on hemodialysis, however the prevalence of RLS in CRF patients on hemodialysis is variable due to different diagnostic criteria or dialysis technique. A few reports have indicated the association between RLS symptom and lower life quality in CRF patients on hemodialysis. This study aims to investigate the prevalence of RLS and its association with the quality of life in CRF patients of a single dialysis unit in Korea. Methods: A total of 83 Korean CRF patients on hemodialysis in the Korea University Hospital were examined. International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group (IRLSSG) criteria and International Restless Legs Scale (IRLS) were used to determine the diagnosis and severity of RLS. Questionnaires including Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS), Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS), and Medical Outcome Study Form-36 (SF-36) were administered to all the patients for the assessment of sleep and quality of life. Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) and Clinical Global Impression (CGI) were also measured for depression and status of mental illness by psychiatrist. Results: Of the 83 patients, 31 (37.3%) patients were found to have RLS and 43 (51.8%) patients met at least one of the RLS diagnostic criteria. The AIS (t=2.40, p=0.019), ESS (t=2.41, p=0.018), HDRS (t=3.85, p<0.001) and CGI (t=3.52, p=0.001) were higher in the subjects with RLS compared to other subjects. The SF-36 scores were significantly lower in the patients with RLS except physical functioning and bodily pain. Total (p=0.005), physical component (p=0.019), and mental component scores (p=0.019) of SF-36 were significantly lower in patients with more severe RLS symptoms. Conclusion: There was significant relationship between RLS and poor quality of sleep and life. More severe RLS symptom was proven to be an important factor to make a quality of life worsen.

• 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.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.308-318
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• 2023

To determine the effectiveness of acupuncture in treating restless legs syndrome (RLS), we conducted a literature review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that utilized acupuncture as an intervention for patients diagnosed with RLS. Relevant clinical studies (n = 158) from seven databases (the Cochrane Library, PubMed, Embase, CNKI, KISS, RISS, and OASIS) were included based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria and analyzed. Moreover, 6 RCTs were selected for review. In all six studies, it was indicated people who underwent acupuncture treatment showed significant improvements in their overall health. An increase in the treatment efficacy rate, sleep quality, and quality of life indicators after the acupuncture treatment was confirmed. The severity of pain as assessed using the visual analog scale (VAS) scores and International RLS Study Group Rating Scale (IRLSRS) scores and the severity of RLS symptoms were significantly reduced. Any significant side effects were not reported. Acupuncture is suggested as an effective and safe treatment method for RLS. However, further large-scale RCT studies are needed to confirm our findings.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.35-40
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• 2013

Objectives: The aim of this study is to evaluate the polysomnographic characteristics and prescription status of restless legs syndrome (RLS) patients in naturalistic setting. Methods: We reviewed medical record of the patients over 18 years olds who (i) satisfied the clinical RLS diagnostic criteria and (ii) had the polysomnography and got treatment related thereto. As a baseline, we evaluated the four diagnostic criteria of the International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group (IRLSSG) and the International Restless Legs Scale (IRLS) of the subjects. Then the polysomnography and the suggested immobilization test (SIT) were conducted and, after one month of pharmacotherapy using dopamine agonist, the IRLS was evaluated again. Results: A total of 211 subjects participated in this analysis and 94 (44.5%) of them were male and the other 117 (55.5%) were female and the average age of the 211 subjects was $46.9{\pm}14.2$. Out of such 211 subjects, 136 subjects (64.5%) also had the obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and 53 subjects (25.1%) also had the periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD). 185 subjects (87.7%) out of the 211 subjects had some other sleep disorders except RLS. The results of the polysomnography were as follows : 78.0% of sleep efficiency, 86.8 min of wake after sleep onset, and 3.4% of N3. More specifically, 12.4/h of the average apnea hypopnea index, 14.8/h of the periodic limb movement during sleep (PLMS), 41.2/h of the periodic limb movement during wake during SIT and 21.6/h of total arousal index during sleep. Out of the total subjects, 149 (70.6%) of them took the ropinirole and 47 (22.3%) of them took the pramipexole, and the average dosage of ropinirole was 0.9mg(dosage range 0.125-5 mg) while the average dosage of pramipexole was 0.5 mg (dosage range 0.125-4 mg). The dosage of the ropinirole showed a significant positive correlation with the age (r=0.25, p=0.002) and also with the IRLS (r=0.23, p=0.038). The IRLS at the baseline was 24.9 while the same was decreased down to 13.4 after one month. Conclusions: Analyzing the result of this study, a majority of clinical RLS subjects demonstrated comorbidity with some other sleep disorder such as the OSA or PLMD. 25.1% of the subjects showed a PLMD, which was less than in previous researches and the average PLMS was not very high as 14.8/h. The dosage of dopamine agonist taken was often a bit more than the amount recommended in Korea. A prospective research using a large scale controlled subjects will be necessary with respect to this topic.

• 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.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.

• 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.