Dry Needling with Electrical Stimulation for Restless Legs Syndrome

This study is looking at how dry needling with electrical stimulation (DNES) might help people with Restless Legs Syndrome. DNES involves inserting thin needles into specific muscles, like those in your legs and hips, and then applying a mild electrical current. Researchers want to see if this treatment can improve your sleep quality, reduce the severity of your Restless Legs Syndrome symptoms, and help with your overall function. You may be able to join if you are between 18 and 75 years old and have a clinical diagnosis of Restless Legs Syndrome. The study will measure changes in your sleep, leg movements, and symptom severity over several weeks to see if the treatment is helpful. The current status of this study is unclear, and it plans to enroll 20 participants.

Study design
This is an interventional study, meaning participants will receive a specific treatment. It aims to enroll 20 individuals.
What's involved
You would receive dry needling with electrical stimulation for a total of 2 sessions, once per week. You will also complete questionnaires at baseline, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks post-intervention, and weekly for 3 weeks for some measures.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Your sleep quality and symptom severity will be measured at 4 and 8 weeks after the treatment. Periodic limb movement will be measured weekly for 3 weeks.

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NCT05860751

The Effect of Dry Needling With Electrical Stimulation on Individuals With Restless Legs Syndrome

Not Yet Recruiting
NAAges 18–75InterventionalTreatment
Mayo Clinic
~20 participants
Updated 2026-03-16 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:Dry Needling with electrical stimulation

At a glance

Recruiting sites
0 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Change in sleep quality
Measured over Baseline, 4 weeks and 8 weeks post-intervention
+2 more outcomes measured
Neck Pain

NCT05860751

Where you'd take part

This study runs at 1 site. They're the same protocol — you choose where, and that choice sets who your contact draft is addressed to.

  • Mayo Clinic

    Rochester, Minnesotastudy coordinator listed

Sites open and close at different times, so the status above is per site — it can differ from the study's overall status.

  • Ray Lunasin, PT, DPT, PhD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · Mayo Clinic

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Age 18-75 years
Clinical diagnosis of restless legs syndrome

Exclusion

Active cancer diagnoses
Neuropathic pain (e.g., lumbosacral radiculopathy and/or diabetic neuropathy),
Pregnancy
Immunocompromised disease (e.g., HIV, AIDS, lupus)
Insufficient English-language skills to complete all questionnaires
Inability to maintain treatment positions
Contraindications to dry needling:35,36
Presence of needle phobia
History of abnormal reaction to needling or injection
History of bleeding disorder
  • Change in sleep qualityBaseline, 4 weeks and 8 weeks post-intervention

    Measured using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Self-report questionnaire that measures general sleep quality. The scoring range is 0-21 with 0-3 scoring for each component. Higher scores indicate worse sleep quality.

  • Change in periodic limb movementBaseline, weekly for 3 weeks

    Measured using a consumer-grade sleep tracking device.

  • Change in Restless Legs Syndrome symptom severityBaseline, 4 weeks and 8 weeks post-intervention

    RLS symptom severity of each participant will be indexed with likert scale ratings and subacutely by completion of the International Restless Legs Syndrome Rating Scale (IRLSRS). The IRLSRS has demonstrated to be a valid and reliable outcome measure for RLS symptom severity. The scale consists of 10 questions concerning each patient's symptoms and the impact of those symptoms on daily activities and mood. Each question contains answers that score from 0 to 4 points, with 0 representing the absence of a problem and 4 representing a very severe problem. Total scores can range from 0 to 40 with higher scores indicating more severe symptoms.