Mayfield Education & Research Foundation sponsored clinical trial to study impact of spinal cord stimulation on patients with Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS)
The effectiveness of spinal cord stimulation to help patients who suffer nighttime pain and involuntary movement in their legs and feet while sleeping will be the next research study from the Mayfield Education & Research Foundation.
Conducted with support from Nevro Corp., the study will determine whether spinal cord stimulation can relieve the symptoms of restless legs syndrome (RLS) for those patients who already are receiving the treatment for lower back pain or neuropathic pain. Spinal cord stimulation features an implanted device delivering electrical pulses to the spinal cord, masking pain signals before they reach the brain.
"For those losing sleep from the symptoms of restless legs syndrome, we hope to demonstrate that spinal cord stimulation can provide significant relief," says Dr. Marc Orlando, interventional pain specialist with Mayfield Brain & Spine and principal investigator for this study. Dr. Orlando, also a medical education consultant for Nevro, hopes to recruit 15 patients to this pilot study.
As many as 3% of adults in the U.S. suffer the symptoms of moderate to severe restless legs syndrome, a neurologic condition that often is marked by involuntary movement in the feet and lower legs while sleeping or at rest. Symptoms usual occur at night and are temporarily relieved by movement, such as walking or stretching. Dr. Orlando says he has restless legs syndrome himself. People feeling its effects often think they are cramping, or can become frustrated because medication is not directly reducing those symptoms, he said. He hopes the pilot study will begin to demonstrate that spinal cord stimulation can help more patients, including those with RLS.
Spinal cord stimulation is often used to relieve lower back pain, neuropathic pain and chronic pain, frequently to help patients after conservative therapies have failed and patients who would not benefit from additional surgery.
The Mayfield Education & Research Foundation works to advance the care of patients with brain and spine disorders through leading-edge education and research, drawing on the expertise of Mayfield Brain & Spine, the independent practice based in Cincinnati. At Mayfield, neurosurgeons, pain specialists and physical medicine and rehabilitation physicians collaborate to serve patients with disorders of the spine and brain, supported by physical therapy, imaging and other clinical services.
Mayfield neurosurgeons have been active in clinical research for decades. By participating in new clinical trials, the independent neurosurgery practice and its researchers are trying to develop new therapies for patients, connect with other innovators and establish Greater Cincinnati as a destination for the highest level of neurosurgical care.
Mayfield has ramped up investments in a growing research program, including expanded clinical trials, additional laboratory programs, more published research in scholarly publications and increased access to outcomes data. The resources from the Mayfield Education & Research Foundation to support research and education will keep Mayfield at the forefront of advanced neurosurgical care and help fulfill our historic commitments to our patients and community.
Contact:
Sonia Lipp, BA, RVT
Director of Research Services
Mayfield Surgical Innovation Center
slipp@mayfieldclinic.com
Cliff Peale, Senior Writer/Media Relations Specialist
cpeale@mayfieldclinic.com
Office: 513-569-5236
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