By IANS,
Washington : There is some hope for people who suffer from restless legs syndrome (RLS), in which they keep shaking their lower limbs all the time, even in a sitting posture.
The answer lies in pneumatic compression devices, which apply air pressure to the leg at regular intervals, which may be an alternative therapy for RLS, according to the latest study.
Researchers from Walter Reed Army Medical Centre in Washington conducted a trial of 35 patients with RLS.
Patients wore either a therapeutic or sham device prior to the usual onset of restless leg syndrome (RLS) symptoms for a minimum of an hour daily.
Therapeutic compression devices significantly improved all measured variables compared with shams, including the RLS severity score, said a Walter Reed release.
All quality of life domains also were improved, including daytime function, sleep quality, and emotional well-being. Researchers conclude that pneumatic compression devices may be an effective nonpharmacologic therapy for RLS.
This study was published in the January issue of the journal Chest.