Bloom rTMS

Contact Us

Our Treatments

rTMS for Restless Leg Syndrome

Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS), also known as Willis-Ekbom Disease (WED), is a prevalent sleep-related movement disorder that affects up to 10% of adults (1,2).

 

This condition is characterized by an often-distressing urge to move the legs – and occasionally the arms – especially noticeable during periods of inactivity such as evening rest. This urge is temporarily alleviated by movement. Symptoms typically manifest deep within the legs, usually between the knee and ankle, and are described through a variety of sensations that differ widely among individuals.

 

Moreover, most people with RLS experience automatic limb movements during sleep, known as Periodic Limb Movements of Sleep (PLMS). These movements do not necessarily awaken the individual and often disrupt sleep for both the individual and bed partner.

 

The long-term impact of RLS can include fatigue, anxiety, and depression, largely due to frequent disruptions of deep sleep.

The underlying causes of RLS remain elusive. Extensive research, encompassing pathophysiological studies, imaging, clinical observations, and genetic analyses, suggests that the condition may be linked to several key factors (3). These include abnormal iron metabolism, central (dopaminergic) neuronal dysfunction, and irregularities in the spinal cord conduction pathways. These elements are believed to play crucial roles in the development of RLS.

For individuals with persistent RLS symptoms and normal iron levels, standard therapies encompass both behavioral strategies – such as regular exercise and avoiding caffeine – and medications, including dopamine agonists, opioids, and anti-epileptics (4). Although these medications can offer relief from symptoms, they frequently come with substantial side effects.

Recent studies have demonstrated that rTMS therapy offers promising results for those with Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS), reducing the frequency and severity of symptoms, enhancing sleep quality, and alleviating associated anxiety and depression (3). Further, the therapeutic benefits of this treatment can persist beyond two months.

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a non-invasive, highly effective treatment that uses electromagnetic impulses that pass easily through the skull to stimulate abnormal brain activity without any systematic side effects or downtime.

  1. Jiménez-Jiménez, F. J., Alonso-Navarro, H., García-Martín, E., & Agúndez, J. A. (2023). Inflammatory factors and restless legs syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Sleep Medicine Reviews, 68, 101744.

  2. Gossard, T. R., Trotti, L. M., Videnovic, A., & St Louis, E. K. (2021). Restless legs syndrome: contemporary diagnosis and treatment. Neurotherapeutics, 18(1), 140-155.

  3. Feng, Y., Li, Y., Mao, Z., Wang, L., & Wang, W. (2024). Application of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for the Treatment of Epilepsy Comorbidity-Restless Legs Syndrome: A Pilot Study. World Neurosurgery.

  4. Salas, R. M. E., Kalloo, A., Earley, C. J., Celnik, P., Cruz, T. E., Foster, K., … & Allen, R. P. (2018). Connecting clinical aspects to corticomotor excitability in restless legs syndrome: a TMS study. Sleep Medicine, 49, 105-112.