Abstract: TH-PO249
Effective Analysis of Electroacupuncture Treatment for Restless Legs Syndrome in Maintenance Hemodialysis Patients
Session Information
- Hemodialysis and Frequent Dialysis - II
November 07, 2019 | Location: Exhibit Hall, Walter E. Washington Convention Center
Abstract Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Category: Dialysis
- 701 Dialysis: Hemodialysis and Frequent Dialysis
Author
- Li, Shensen, Sir Run Run Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, JIangSu, China
Background
Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a common complication in patients with end stage renal disease. Current study was conducted to analysis the effect of electroacupuncture in the treatment of RLS.
Methods
A total of 7 regular hemodialysis (HD) patients (5 Male and 2 Female) in our center were enrolled to conduct before and after self-control study. Demographic, clinical, and pretreatment laboratory data were collected. After one month of pharmacological washout period, patients received 12 sessions of electroacupuncture on three acupoints (Zusanli (ST36), Sanyinjiao (SP6) and Taichong (LR-3)) during HD. Changes of RLS were rated by International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group rating scale (IRLS) pre-, post- and one month after the therapy.
Results
The average age of enrolled patients was 53.0±9.6 years, with median dialysis duration of 3.0 years. The hemoglobin level were 125.9±22.9 g/l. The IRLS score was significantly lower after electroacupuncture treatment (9.4±3.9) than that before treatment (17.3±4.3) (P=0.0004). One month after the end of treatment, the quantitative IRLS score was 9.7±1.2, which was still significantly lower than that before treatment (P=0.0068). Both the frequency (2.9±0.6 days/week pre-treatment vs. 1.9±1.0 days/week post-treatment, P=0.02) and severity (1.7±0.7 points vs. 1.0±0 points, P<0.05) of RLS were significantly improved after electroacupuncture. These improvement trends were able to maintain after the treatment was discontinued for one month.
Conclusion
Electroacupuncture on the acupoints in the legs during HD was as an effective treatment for attenuating the symptoms of RLS in hemodialysis patients, and the therapeutic effect maintain for at least one month.