Use of near-infrared light to reduce symptoms associated with Restless Legs Syndrome: a case report

IntroductionThis case report describes a potential new treatment option for patients suffering from restless legs syndrome (RLS). Contemporary treatment for RLS consists mostly of dopaminergic drugs that leave some patients feeling nauseated and dizzy.

A noninvasive, drug-free option would open new doors for patients suffering from RLS.Case presentationThe 69 year-old Caucasian female met International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group criteria for the diagnosis of RLS. She had been afflicted with RLS for over 30 years and tried many of the available pharmaceutical remedies without success.

For this study she received 30-minute treatment sessions with near-infrared light, 3 times a week for 4 weeks. The RLS rating scale was used to track symptom changes; at baseline she scored "27"on the 0 to 40 point scale, which is considered "severe".

The patient was almost symptom free at week 2, indicated by a score of "2"on the ratingscale. By week 4 she was completely symptom free.

The symptoms slowly returned during week 3 post treatment.

Conclusion: The findings suggest that near-infrared light may be a feasible method for treating patients suffering from RLS. Undesirable side-effects from medication are nonexistent.

This study might revive the neglected vascular mechanism theory behind RLS and encourage further research into this area.

Author: Ulrike Mitchell
Credits/Source: Journal of Medical Case Reports 2010, 4:286

Published on: 2010-08-23

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