The Effect of Spinal Cord Stimulators on Restless Leg Syndrome

NCT07179406 | Recruiting

• 2 other identifiers: IRB-300014915UAB
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 50
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

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.

Conditions

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

Keywords

SCS; Spinal Cord Stimulation; RLS; Restless Leg Syndrome

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (4)

• Changes in H-reflex neurophysiological activity in response to Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS)

  Up to 3 Weeks after consent to the study

• Changes in Somatosensory Evoked Potential (SSEP) activity in response to Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS)

  Up to 3 Weeks after consent to the study

• Changes in Vibratory Electrophysiological Response Potential (ERP) activity in response to Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS)

  Up to 3 Weeks after consent to the study

• Changes in Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) activity in response to Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS)

  Up to 3 Weeks after consent to the study

Secondary Outcomes (4)

• Changes in self-reported RLS symptoms via International Restless Legs Syndrome (IRLSS) Questionnaire

  Up to 3 Weeks after consent to the study

• Changes in self-reported RLS symptoms via RLS-6 Questionnaire

  Up to 3 Weeks after consent to the study

• Changes in self-reported pain symptoms via Promis Questionnaire

  Up to 3 Weeks after consent to the study

• Changes in self-reported pain symptoms via PainDetect Questionnaire

  Up to 3 Weeks after consent to the study

Study Arms (4)

Arm 1: Assessments and questionnaires only

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

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.

Other: H-Reflex; Other: Somatosensory evoked potential (SSEP); Other: Vibratory Electrophysiological Response Potential (ERP); Other: Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)

Arm 2: Off-on-off

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

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.

Other: H-Reflex; Other: Somatosensory evoked potential (SSEP); Other: Vibratory Electrophysiological Response Potential (ERP); Other: Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS); Other: Spinal Cord Stimulator (SCS) manipulation

Arm 3: Off-on-off post-op

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

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

Other: H-Reflex; Other: Somatosensory evoked potential (SSEP); Other: Vibratory Electrophysiological Response Potential (ERP); Other: Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS); Other: Spinal Cord Stimulator (SCS) manipulation

Arm 4: On-off-on

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

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.

Other: H-Reflex; Other: Somatosensory evoked potential (SSEP); Other: Vibratory Electrophysiological Response Potential (ERP); Other: Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS); Other: Spinal Cord Stimulator (SCS) manipulation

Interventions

H-Reflex 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.

Arm 1: Assessments and questionnaires only; Arm 2: Off-on-off; Arm 3: Off-on-off post-op; Arm 4: On-off-on

Vibratory Electrophysiological Response Potential (ERP) 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.

Arm 1: Assessments and questionnaires only; Arm 2: Off-on-off; Arm 3: Off-on-off post-op; Arm 4: On-off-on

Somatosensory evoked potential (SSEP) 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.

Arm 1: Assessments and questionnaires only; Arm 2: Off-on-off; Arm 3: Off-on-off post-op; Arm 4: On-off-on

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) 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 1: Assessments and questionnaires only; Arm 2: Off-on-off; Arm 3: Off-on-off post-op; Arm 4: On-off-on

Spinal Cord Stimulator (SCS) manipulation OTHER

Spinal cord stimulator will be turned on/off

Arm 2: Off-on-off; Arm 3: Off-on-off post-op; Arm 4: On-off-on

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• 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

You may not qualify if:

• 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.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Alabama at Birmingham: lead

Study Sites (1)

University of Alabama at Birmingham

Birmingham, Alabama, 35233, United States

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Restless Legs Syndrome

Interventions

H-Reflex; Evoked Potentials, Somatosensory; Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Nervous System Diseases; Sleep Disorders, Intrinsic; Dyssomnias; Sleep Wake Disorders; Parasomnias; Mental Disorders

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Reflex, Monosynaptic; Reflex; Nervous System Physiological Phenomena; Musculoskeletal and Neural Physiological Phenomena; Evoked Potentials; Cortical Excitability; Electrophysiological Phenomena; Physiological Phenomena; Magnetic Field Therapy; Therapeutics

Central Study Contacts

Marshall Holland, MD

CONTACT

2059343411; mtholloand@uabmc.edu

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NON RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: BASIC SCIENCE
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Assistant Professor

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: August 28, 2025
• First Posted: September 17, 2025
• Study Start: August 4, 2025
• Primary Completion (Estimated): January 31, 2028
• Study Completion (Estimated): December 31, 2028
• Last Updated: January 30, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-01

Locations

US (1)