Neuromodulation to Overcome Severe Restless Legs Syndrome

Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) is a chronic neurological disorder characterized by an urge to move the legs that disrupts sleep and quality of life. Current medical therapies often lose effectiveness over time or are associated with significant side effects. Preliminary case reports suggest that spinal cord stimulation (SCS) may improve RLS symptoms.

This single-arm feasibility study will enroll up to 15 adults with severe, treatment-refractory primary RLS. Participants will undergo baseline clinical, neuropsychological, and electrophysiological assessments followed by implantation of the Saluda Medical Evoke® Spinal Cord Stimulation System. Follow-up evaluations will occur through 24 months post-activation. Primary outcomes focus on device and procedure safety. Secondary outcomes evaluate changes in RLS severity, patient-reported outcomes, neurophysiological biomarkers, and device utilization.

Inclusion criteria

• Age >18 years and older.
• Received a medical diagnosis of RLS via first screening with Cambridge Hopkins- RLS questionnaire and confirmed via Hopkins-Hening Diagnostic questionnaire.
• IRLS Scale score ≥ 21 (classified as severe) and received a determination of treatment refractory RLS or inadequate response to standard medical treatment for RLS by a sleep medicine physician.
• RLS symptoms occur ≥ 3 nights per week.
• Willing and able to comply with study procedures.
• Able to provide informed consent.

Exclusion criteria

• Age <18 years.
• Neuropathic pain, other than RLS on DN4 questionnaire.
• Any mental or physical limitation that would prevent completing and of the study protocols.
• Active medical implant in the body (i.e., pacemaker).
• History of prior SCS trial or implantation.
• Currently using another device to treat RLS.
• Unable or unwilling to comply with study protocols.
• Other medical conditions that would put the subject at risk as determined by the investigators.
• Pregnant, breastfeeding, or trying to become pregnant.
• Currently participating or plans to participate in any other investigational clinical evaluation during the study period that may, in the opinion of the investigators, affect RLS.
• Ferritin < 50 ng/mL (excludes iron deficiency).
• HgA1C > 7.5 (excludes unstable diabetes melilitus)
• One or more of the following diagnoses: spinal cord injury or prior spinal surgery, severe peripheral neuropathy, severe psychiatric or cognitive disorder that may interfere with study participation, history of drug or alcohol abuse within the past year, epilepsy or seizure disorder, current active or chronic infection other than 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, multiple sclerosis, known or suspected allergy to SCS materials.