The Effect of Spinal Cord Stimulators on Restless Leg Syndrome

NCT ID: NCT07179406

Last Updated: 2026-01-30

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

RECRUITING

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

50 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2025-08-04

Study Completion Date

2028-12-31

Brief Summary

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This study aims to evaluate neurophysiological responses and symptom changes in individuals with Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) and/or chronic pain. Participants will undergo standard clinical assessments including EEG, EMG, h-reflex, SSEP, ERP, and TMS under varying SCS conditions.The study involves 4 arms. Arm 1 are individuals diagnosed with RLS and Healthy Controls. Arm 2 are individuals diagnosed with RLS and have an existing SCS. Arm 3 are individuals diagnosed with RLS and scheduled to receive a SCS. Arm 4 are individuals with chronic pain and have a SCS, but no diagnosis of RLS.

Detailed Description

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Conditions

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Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS) Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS)

Study Design

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Allocation Method

NON_RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Primary Study Purpose

BASIC_SCIENCE

Blinding Strategy

NONE

Study Groups

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Arm 1: Assessments and questionnaires only

Complete questionnaires on RLS and pain

Stimulation:

H-reflex - A small electrical stimulus is provided to the leg and foot area and a measurement of the stimulus is taken by the EEG electrodes.

Somatosensory evoked potential (SSEP) - A small electrical stimulus is provided to a nerve on the body and measured at several places along the nervous system (spinal cord, brain, etc.) with the EMG and EEG electrodes.

Vibratory Electrophysiological Response Potential (ERP) - stimulation of the ankle with vibration sensations using a device like a buzzer and recording of body's responses using the EEG and/or EMG electrodes.

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) - A small magnetic pulse is used to provide a small amount of electrical stimulation to nervous system. The EEG and/or EMG electrodes will be used to measure body's reaction.

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

H-Reflex

Intervention Type OTHER

H-reflex - A small electrical stimulus is provided to the leg and foot area and a measurement of the stimulus is taken by the EEG electrodes.

Somatosensory evoked potential (SSEP)

Intervention Type OTHER

A small electrical stimulus is provided to a nerve on the body and measured at several places along the nervous system (spinal cord, brain, etc.) with the EMG and EEG electrodes.

Vibratory Electrophysiological Response Potential (ERP)

Intervention Type OTHER

stimulation is provided to the ankle with vibration sensations using a device like a buzzer and the recording of the body's responses using the EEG and/or EMG electrodes.

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)

Intervention Type OTHER

A small magnetic pulse is used to provide a small amount of electrical stimulation to the nervous system. The EEG and/or EMG electrodes will be used to measure the body's reaction.

Arm 2: Off-on-off

Participants will turn OFF their SCS at least 48 hours prior to the visit. The assessments listed in Arm 1 will be performed and the SCS will be turned ON for at least 60 minutes before repeating the assessments. Participants may repeat the questionnaires during this waiting period.

Finally, the SCS is turned OFF again, this time for at least 30 minutes before repeating the assessments, except for the h-reflex, which will not be needed again. As with before, participants can complete the questionnaires during this waiting period.

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

H-Reflex

Intervention Type OTHER

H-reflex - A small electrical stimulus is provided to the leg and foot area and a measurement of the stimulus is taken by the EEG electrodes.

Somatosensory evoked potential (SSEP)

Intervention Type OTHER

A small electrical stimulus is provided to a nerve on the body and measured at several places along the nervous system (spinal cord, brain, etc.) with the EMG and EEG electrodes.

Vibratory Electrophysiological Response Potential (ERP)

Intervention Type OTHER

stimulation is provided to the ankle with vibration sensations using a device like a buzzer and the recording of the body's responses using the EEG and/or EMG electrodes.

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)

Intervention Type OTHER

A small magnetic pulse is used to provide a small amount of electrical stimulation to the nervous system. The EEG and/or EMG electrodes will be used to measure the body's reaction.

Spinal Cord Stimulator (SCS) manipulation

Intervention Type OTHER

Spinal cord stimulator will be turned on/off

Arm 3: Off-on-off post-op

Participants will perform the same procedures as those in Arm 2, but only after 2-3 weeks from receiving a permanent SCS.

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

H-Reflex

Intervention Type OTHER

H-reflex - A small electrical stimulus is provided to the leg and foot area and a measurement of the stimulus is taken by the EEG electrodes.

Somatosensory evoked potential (SSEP)

Intervention Type OTHER

A small electrical stimulus is provided to a nerve on the body and measured at several places along the nervous system (spinal cord, brain, etc.) with the EMG and EEG electrodes.

Vibratory Electrophysiological Response Potential (ERP)

Intervention Type OTHER

stimulation is provided to the ankle with vibration sensations using a device like a buzzer and the recording of the body's responses using the EEG and/or EMG electrodes.

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)

Intervention Type OTHER

A small magnetic pulse is used to provide a small amount of electrical stimulation to the nervous system. The EEG and/or EMG electrodes will be used to measure the body's reaction.

Spinal Cord Stimulator (SCS) manipulation

Intervention Type OTHER

Spinal cord stimulator will be turned on/off

Arm 4: On-off-on

Participants will have their SCS on for at least 48 hours prior to the visit. The assessments listed in Arm 1 will be performed and the SCS will be turned Off for at least 60 minutes before repeating the assessments. Participants may repeat the questionnaires during this waiting period.

Finally, the SCS is turned On again, this time for at least 30 minutes before repeating the assessments, except for the h-reflex, which will not be needed again. As with before, participants can complete the questionnaires during this waiting period.

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

H-Reflex

Intervention Type OTHER

H-reflex - A small electrical stimulus is provided to the leg and foot area and a measurement of the stimulus is taken by the EEG electrodes.

Somatosensory evoked potential (SSEP)

Intervention Type OTHER

A small electrical stimulus is provided to a nerve on the body and measured at several places along the nervous system (spinal cord, brain, etc.) with the EMG and EEG electrodes.

Vibratory Electrophysiological Response Potential (ERP)

Intervention Type OTHER

stimulation is provided to the ankle with vibration sensations using a device like a buzzer and the recording of the body's responses using the EEG and/or EMG electrodes.

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)

Intervention Type OTHER

A small magnetic pulse is used to provide a small amount of electrical stimulation to the nervous system. The EEG and/or EMG electrodes will be used to measure the body's reaction.

Spinal Cord Stimulator (SCS) manipulation

Intervention Type OTHER

Spinal cord stimulator will be turned on/off

Interventions

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H-Reflex

H-reflex - A small electrical stimulus is provided to the leg and foot area and a measurement of the stimulus is taken by the EEG electrodes.

Intervention Type OTHER

Somatosensory evoked potential (SSEP)

A small electrical stimulus is provided to a nerve on the body and measured at several places along the nervous system (spinal cord, brain, etc.) with the EMG and EEG electrodes.

Intervention Type OTHER

Vibratory Electrophysiological Response Potential (ERP)

stimulation is provided to the ankle with vibration sensations using a device like a buzzer and the recording of the body's responses using the EEG and/or EMG electrodes.

Intervention Type OTHER

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)

A small magnetic pulse is used to provide a small amount of electrical stimulation to the nervous system. The EEG and/or EMG electrodes will be used to measure the body's reaction.

Intervention Type OTHER

Spinal Cord Stimulator (SCS) manipulation

Spinal cord stimulator will be turned on/off

Intervention Type OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Has Restless Leg Syndrome
* No major changes in RLS medications in past 4 weeks
* Willing and able to comply with study protocol
* Healthy Controls - No RLS diagnosis
* Ability to provide informed consent

Exclusion Criteria

* Any mental or physical limitation that would prevent completing any of the studies
* Currently using another device to treat RLS
* Unable or unwilling to comply with study protocols
* Other medical condition that would put the subject at risk as determined by the investigator
* Pregnant, breastfeeding, or trying to become pregnant
* Currently participating or planning to participate in any other investigational clinical evaluation during the study period that may, in the opinion of the investigator, affect RLS
* One or more of the following diseases: spinal cord injury, severe peripheral neuropathy or radiculopathy, severe psychiatric or cognitive disorder that may interfere with participation of the study, history of drug or alcohol abuse within the past year, epilepsy or seizure disorder, current active or chronic infection other than the common cold, malignancy within the past 5 years (not including basal cell or squamous cell skin cancer), severe movement disorder (i.e. Parkinson's disease), deep vein thrombosis, or multiple sclerosis.
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Sponsors

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University of Alabama at Birmingham

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Marshall Holland

Assistant Professor

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Locations

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University of Alabama at Birmingham

Birmingham, Alabama, United States

Site Status RECRUITING

Countries

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United States

Central Contacts

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Marshall Holland, MD

Role: CONTACT

2059343411

Facility Contacts

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Marshall Holland, MD

Role: primary

2059343411

Other Identifiers

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UAB

Identifier Type: OTHER

Identifier Source: secondary_id

IRB-300014915

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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