Author: Mohammadi MM1, Raygani AAV2, Ghobadi A3, Samadzadeh S4, Salari N5
Affiliation: <sup>1</sup>School of Nursing and Midwifery, Students Research Committee, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran. Email: mehdi20.mohamadi@gmail.com.
<sup>2</sup>School of Nursing and Midwifery, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran. Email: ghobadi57.akram@gmail.com.
<sup>3</sup>School of Nursing and Midwifery, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran. Email: ghobadi57.akram@gmail.com ghobadi57.akram@gmail.com.
<sup>4</sup>Rehabilitation and Sport Medicine Department, School of Medicine, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran. Email: salahshoor23@gmail.com.
<sup>5</sup>Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran. Email: shima23.parandin@gmail.com.
Conference/Journal: Clin Med Res.
Date published: 2018 May 18
Other:
Pages: cmr , Special Notes: doi: 10.3121/cmr.2018.1389. [Epub ahead of print] , Word Count: 240
INTRODUCTION: Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a common disorder in hemodialysis patients. The present study was conducted to determine the effect of near-infrared (NIR) light therapy given to acupoints on the severity of RLS in patients undergoing hemodialysis.
METHODS: This single-blind randomized controlled trial was performed on 60 hemodialysis patients with RLS. Participants who met the inclusion criteria were randomly assigned to an intervention group (n = 30) or a control group (n = 30). Data were collected using the International Restless Legs Syndrome Rating Scale (IRLSRS) and demographic information questionnaire. The intervention group received 12 sessions of NIR light therapy (940 nm) to acupoints in the legs and feet during hemodialysis 3 times a week, while the control group received sham treatment. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 22 software.
RESULTS: The results indicated that there were statistically and clinically significant differences between the intervention and control groups at the end of the intervention sessions (P < 0.001, MD = 3.8). However, after the treatment was discontinued, the difference was not clinically significant (MD = 2.4). In the within-group compression, the mean RLS scores of the intervention group decreased significantly during the intervention sessions (MD = 3.2, P < 0.001); however, after the treatment was discontinued, the difference was not clinically significant (MD = 1.67).
CONCLUSION: The present study showed that the application of NIR light to acupoints in the legs and feet was as an effective treatment for attenuating the symptoms of RLS in hemodialysis patients.
© 2018 Marshfield Clinic.
KEYWORDS: Acupuncture; Infrared; Restless legs syndrome
PMID: 29776916 DOI: 10.3121/cmr.2018.1389