Abstract
Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a chronic movement disorder characterized by an urge to move the legs, which often has a detrimental effect on sleep. RLS is usually relieved through exercise. While acupuncture is often used in RLS management, studies on the effectiveness of this method are limited. This study therefore aims to promote the effectiveness of acupuncture on a patient diagnosed with RLS. A 72-year-old female patient considered in this study presented at our center with symptoms that had persisted for 38 years. She reported an overwhelming urge to rub her legs and walk around the room at night, resulting in insomnia. Her pulse and tongue were examined, and an imbalance was detected in her heart and liver meridians. The patient received 10 acupuncture sessions, one per week, using 0.25 × 0.25 disposable sterile steel needles. The Visual Analog Scale, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and International Restless Legs Syndrome Rating Scale were used to assess the patient before and after treatment. In this case, the therapeutic effect of acupuncture is consistent with evidence from seven randomized controlled trials, which indicate that acupuncture can reduce symptom severity and improve sleep quality in RLS patients. A decrease in the scores of the applied indices and scales was observed after the treatment. Positive effects were also observed on the patient's sleep pattern and quality of life, all of which suggest that acupuncture is an effective, reliable, easy-to-apply, and cost-effective treatment for RLS.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.