Restless Legs SyndromeRLS/WEDNCT03249779
Treatment of RLS/WED Symptoms Through Sensory Counter-stimulation
A study testing Scrambler in people with Restless Legs Syndrome and Willis-Ekbom Disease, run by Mayo Clinic at 1 site in United States.
Trial summary
To evaluate, in a pilot fashion, efficacy and tolerability of electrical counter-stimulation using the Scrambler device in alleviating uncomfortable sensations and urge to move in patients with restless legs syndrome/Willis Ekbom Disease (RLS/WED). Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and older
- Conditions the study is for
- Restless Legs Syndrome, Willis-Ekbom Disease
- What is being tested?
- Scrambler
- Type of treatment
- Medical device
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 8 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited States
- Study dates
- Dec 2016to Jun 2018
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Yes, posted in the registrySummary in the doctors' view
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 years and older
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Male and female patients age 18 and over diagnosed with RLS/WED by a board certified sleep medicine physician within the Mayo Clinic Center for Sleep Medicine.
- Patients must have moderate to severe symptoms which have been present for ≥ 3 months. Patients must endorse discomfort as part of their typical RLS/WED symptomatology.
- Patients must experience daily symptoms and must experience daily symptoms during afternoon hours (12-5 PM)
- Patients on no medications for RLS/WED, or those who have refractory symptoms despite RLS/WED medications will be enrolled. Patients on alpha-2-delta ligands (pregabalin, gabapentin) will be asked to discontinue these medications two weeks prior to starting treatments and remain off these medications throughout the study protocol.
- Informed consent to participate in this study needs to be obtained
Who cannot join
- Research authorization not provided
- Patients who are asymptomatic (either by verbal report or completion of severity scale) at time of initiation of Scrambler Therapy treatment
- Patients who have made changes in medication regimen during the 2 weeks prior to study initiation (including initiation of iron supplementation)
- Prior use of Scrambler Therapy
- Pregnant or Nursing Patients
- Patients with implantable drug delivery systems, heart stents, or metal implants (including pacemakers and defibrillators)
Show all 9Show fewer
- Patients with history of epilepsy or other medical conditions that in the opinion of the investigators should be excluded
- Patients with skin conditions or wounds in or around the area of electrode application (lower extremities)
- Patients treated with alpha-2 delta ligands (gabapentin, pregabalin), who cannot discontinue the medications as above
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
United States1 site
Mayo Clinic in Rochester
Rochester, Minnesota, 55905
About this study
Official title: Electrical Stimulation Via the Scrambler Device as a Treatment for Restless Legs Syndrome/Willis Ekbom Disease
To evaluate, in a pilot fashion, efficacy and tolerability of electrical counter-stimulation using the Scrambler device in alleviating uncomfortable sensations and urge to move in patients with restless legs syndrome/Willis Ekbom Disease (RLS/WED).
Read the detailed description
A total of up to 10 eligible subjects will be recruited who have been diagnosed with chronic RLS/WED (Restless legs syndrome/ Willis Ekbom Disease) in the Mayo Clinic Center for Sleep Medicine. Subjects must experience daily symptoms and must typically be symptomatic during the timeframe in which Scrambler Therapy will be utilized (12-5 PM). Each patient will complete the International Restless Legs Syndrome Rating Scale (IRLS), a validated scale which assesses severity of RLS symptoms16 at baseline (pre-treatment) and before and directly after each session of Scrambler Therapy.
Patients will receive Scrambler Therapy on a daily basis for up to 10 consecutive weekdays. Electrodes will be placed proximal to the area of RLS symptomatology, with gradual downward localization until the entire area of RLS symptoms has been treated. Treatment will initially take place on one leg. Treatments will be administered by a technician trained in using the Scrambler device. A physician or nurse (with familiarity of Scrambler therapy) will be available throughout each treatment session.
Patients will complete questionnaires regarding discomfort or other side effects encountered during or after treatment. Patients will also complete surveys assessing for any changes (benefits or worsening) in RLS symptomatology between treatments.
Patients will be monitored for any adverse events associated with the study procedures. Any reported adverse events will be expediently classified by the study group as to severity level, whether it relates to the treatments in the study protocol, and whether the event was expected or unexpected. This information will allow determination of whether or not the adverse event should be reported as an expedited report or part of the routinely reported outcomes data. All adverse events which meet criteria for expedited reporting will be reported to the institutional IRB as well as external agencies as required.
If there is no evidence of clinical benefit with the first 2-4 patients, then further patients may not be recruited.
- Conditions
- Restless Legs Syndrome, Willis-Ekbom Disease
- Being tested
- Scrambler
- Medical subject headings
- Restless Legs Syndrome
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
ScramblerDevice
Scrambler Therapy is a specific form of electrical stimulation which has also been utilized in chronic neurogenic pain11. This modality of therapy differs from TENS in that the goal is to mediate the patient's perception of pain, rather than masking the peripheral pain signal. The results of this modality of treatment may be longer-lasting than TENS, presumably via reduction in central signal generation. Scrambler therapy works through C fibers to retrain the peripheral sensation in the area being treated. Further description of this technology is available at: International Patent PCT/IT2007/000647 and U.S. Patent No. 8,380,317. Literature search does not yield prior studies regarding efficacy of Scrambler therapy in treating RLS
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Scrambler | Experimental | All participants will receive electrical stimulation applied to the lower extremities using the Scrambler. Receives: Device: Scrambler |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Change in International Restless Legs Syndrome Rating Scale (IRLS)
The International Restless Legs Syndrome Rating Scale (IRLS) questionnaire will be used for this purpose.
The IRLS is a validated patient-reported outcome measure to accurately assess disease severity of restless legs syndrome. It has questions on the primary features of restless legs syndrome, along with intensity and frequency, associated sleep problems. For this study subjects were asked to answer 10 questions on how often they experienced each symptom, using a score of 0-4, 0 being "None" and 4 being "Very severe." Answers from these questions were combined to provide a total Restless Legs Syndrome score (for a total possible range of 0-40) for each patient at each visit. Lower scores reflected fewer symptoms and higher scores reflected more symptoms.
Measured: baseline, 2 weeks
Change in International Restless Legs Syndrome Rating Scale (IRLS)
The International Restless Legs Syndrome Rating Scale (IRLS) questionnaire will be used for this purpose.
The IRLS is a validated patient-reported outcome measure to accurately assess disease severity of restless legs syndrome. It has questions on the primary features of restless legs syndrome, along with intensity and frequency, associated sleep problems. For this study subjects were asked to answer 10 questions on how often they experienced each symptom, using a score of 0-4, 0 being "None" and 4 being "Very severe." Answers from these questions were combined to provide a total Restless Legs Syndrome score (for a total possible range of 0-40) for each patient at each visit. Lower scores reflected fewer symptoms and higher scores reflected more symptoms.
Measured: baseline, 1 week post treatment (approximately 3 weeks)
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted15 Aug 2017
- Study startDec 2016
- Primary completionJun 2018
- Study completionJun 2018
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Posted resultsParticipant flow, outcome measures and adverse events reported by the sponsor.
- Other trials for Restless Legs SyndromeStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Mayo ClinicThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 8 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Mayo Clinic
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Melissa Lipford, Mayo Clinic
- Investigators
- Melissa Lipford, MD, Principal investigator, Mayo Clinic
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT03249779
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 16-005286
- Acronym
- RLS/WED
- Status last verified
- Aug 2019
- First submitted
- 13 Dec 2016
- Last updated
- 4 Sep 2019
- Results posted
- Yes, on ClinicalTrials.gov
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 4 Sep 2019. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Electrical Stimulation Via the Scrambler Device as a Treatment for Restless Legs Syndrome/Willis Ekbom Disease
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT03249779
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- RLS/WED / 16-005286
- Conditions
- Restless Legs Syndrome, Willis-Ekbom Disease
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 8 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Mayo ClinicUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- Dec 2016 (actual)
- Primary completion
- Jun 2018 (actual)
- Study completion
- Jun 2018 (actual)
- First posted
- 15 Aug 2017 (actual)
- Results
- Posted 4 Sep 2019
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
To evaluate, in a pilot fashion, efficacy and tolerability of electrical counter-stimulation using the Scrambler device in alleviating uncomfortable sensations and urge to move in patients with restless legs syndrome/Willis Ekbom Disease (RLS/WED).
Detailed description
A total of up to 10 eligible subjects will be recruited who have been diagnosed with chronic RLS/WED (Restless legs syndrome/ Willis Ekbom Disease) in the Mayo Clinic Center for Sleep Medicine. Subjects must experience daily symptoms and must typically be symptomatic during the timeframe in which Scrambler Therapy will be utilized (12-5 PM). Each patient will complete the International Restless Legs Syndrome Rating Scale (IRLS), a validated scale which assesses severity of RLS symptoms16 at baseline (pre-treatment) and before and directly after each session of Scrambler Therapy.
Patients will receive Scrambler Therapy on a daily basis for up to 10 consecutive weekdays. Electrodes will be placed proximal to the area of RLS symptomatology, with gradual downward localization until the entire area of RLS symptoms has been treated. Treatment will initially take place on one leg. Treatments will be administered by a technician trained in using the Scrambler device. A physician or nurse (with familiarity of Scrambler therapy) will be available throughout each treatment session.
Patients will complete questionnaires regarding discomfort or other side effects encountered during or after treatment. Patients will also complete surveys assessing for any changes (benefits or worsening) in RLS symptomatology between treatments.
Patients will be monitored for any adverse events associated with the study procedures. Any reported adverse events will be expediently classified by the study group as to severity level, whether it relates to the treatments in the study protocol, and whether the event was expected or unexpected. This information will allow determination of whether or not the adverse event should be reported as an expedited report or part of the routinely reported outcomes data. All adverse events which meet criteria for expedited reporting will be reported to the institutional IRB as well as external agencies as required.
If there is no evidence of clinical benefit with the first 2-4 patients, then further patients may not be recruited.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 1
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Scrambler | Experimental | Device: ScramblerAll participants will receive electrical stimulation applied to the lower extremities using the Scrambler. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Male and female patients age 18 and over diagnosed with RLS/WED by a board certified sleep medicine physician within the Mayo Clinic Center for Sleep Medicine.
- Patients must have moderate to severe symptoms which have been present for ≥ 3 months. Patients must endorse discomfort as part of their typical RLS/WED symptomatology.
- Patients must experience daily symptoms and must experience daily symptoms during afternoon hours (12-5 PM)
- Patients on no medications for RLS/WED, or those who have refractory symptoms despite RLS/WED medications will be enrolled. Patients on alpha-2-delta ligands (pregabalin, gabapentin) will be asked to discontinue these medications two weeks prior to starting treatments and remain off these medications throughout the study protocol.
- Informed consent to participate in this study needs to be obtained
Key exclusion criteria (9 listed)
- Research authorization not provided
- Patients who are asymptomatic (either by verbal report or completion of severity scale) at time of initiation of Scrambler Therapy treatment
- Patients who have made changes in medication regimen during the 2 weeks prior to study initiation (including initiation of iron supplementation)
- Prior use of Scrambler Therapy
- Pregnant or Nursing Patients
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| ScramblerScrambler Therapy is a specific form of electrical stimulation which has also been utilized in chronic neurogenic pain11. This modality of therapy differs from TENS in that the goal is to mediate the patient's perception of pain, rather than masking the peripheral pain signal. The results of this modality of treatment may be longer-lasting than TENS, presumably via reduction in central signal generation. Scrambler therapy works through C fibers to retrain the peripheral sensation in the area being treated. Further description of this technology is available at: International Patent PCT/IT2007/000647 and U.S. Patent No. 8,380,317. Literature search does not yield prior studies regarding efficacy of Scrambler therapy in treating RLS | Device | Scrambler |
Primary outcome
Change in International Restless Legs Syndrome Rating Scale (IRLS)
Time frame: baseline, 2 weeks
The International Restless Legs Syndrome Rating Scale (IRLS) questionnaire will be used for this purpose. The IRLS is a validated patient-reported outcome measure to accurately assess disease severity of restless legs syndrome. It has questions on the primary features of restless legs syndrome, along with intensity and frequency, associated sleep problems. For this study subjects were asked to answer 10 questions on how often they experienced each symptom, using a score of 0-4, 0 being "None" and 4 being "Very severe." Answers from these questions were combined to provide a total Restless Legs Syndrome score (for a total possible range of 0-40) for each patient at each visit. Lower scores reflected fewer symptoms and higher scores reflected more symptoms.
Change in International Restless Legs Syndrome Rating Scale (IRLS)
Time frame: baseline, 1 week post treatment (approximately 3 weeks)
The International Restless Legs Syndrome Rating Scale (IRLS) questionnaire will be used for this purpose. The IRLS is a validated patient-reported outcome measure to accurately assess disease severity of restless legs syndrome. It has questions on the primary features of restless legs syndrome, along with intensity and frequency, associated sleep problems. For this study subjects were asked to answer 10 questions on how often they experienced each symptom, using a score of 0-4, 0 being "None" and 4 being "Very severe." Answers from these questions were combined to provide a total Restless Legs Syndrome score (for a total possible range of 0-40) for each patient at each visit. Lower scores reflected fewer symptoms and higher scores reflected more symptoms.
Results and safety
Loading the posted results from ClinicalTrials.gov…
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 4 Sep 2019.
- Posted resultsParticipant flow, baseline, all outcome measures and adverse events.
- Mayo Clinic Clinical TrialsLink provided by the sponsor.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Melissa Lipford, MD principal investigator
Mayo Clinic
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Scrambler in people with Restless Legs Syndrome and Willis-Ekbom Disease, run by Mayo Clinic at 1 site in United States.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 5 inclusion and 9 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 4 Sep 2019. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
Yes. Results are posted in the registry (first posted 4 Sep 2019). A summary is in the For doctors view, and the full results are on ClinicalTrials.gov.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Change in International Restless Legs Syndrome Rating Scale (IRLS) (time frame: baseline, 2 weeks). The study lists 2 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 4 Sep 2019.