Idiopathic and secondary restless legs syndrome during pregnancy in Japan: Prevalence, clinical features and delivery-related outcomes.
Chikara Yoshimura, Hisatomi Arima, Hironobu Amagase...
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33974646/Actively Recruiting
Led by Rhode Island Hospital · Updated on 2025-11-12
15
Participants Needed
2
Research Sites
4 weeks
Total Duration
Researchers are evaluating the use of the TOMAC123 peroneal electrical nerve stimulation PNS device as a non-drug treatment for Restless Legs Syndrome RLS during pregnancy. This study aims to determine if the device is feasible, acceptable, and safe for pregnant individuals between 21 and 26 weeks gestation. It also explores symptom relief, sleep quality, and maternal-fetal safety associated with using the device. The study is an open-label, single-arm pilot trial enrolling 15 participants to inform future research. Participants will attend an in-clinic titration session around 28 weeks gestation, where uterine contraction and fetal monitoring will be done to ensure safety and determine a comfortable stimulation level. They will then use the TOMAC123 device at home for 8 weeks, performing up to four 30-minute sessions daily as needed, particularly during times of high symptom burden or before bedtime. The device delivers bilateral high-frequency stimulation to the common peroneal nerves and is FDA-cleared for adults with moderate to severe RLS but not previously studied during pregnancy. During the study, participants will complete various questionnaires assessing device acceptability, symptom severity, and sleep quality. They will wear an actigraphy monitor to gather objective sleep data at baseline and after 4 weeks. Follow-up includes biweekly phone calls, in-person visits at weeks 4 and 8, and a 3-month postpartum safety check. Researchers will monitor maternal vital signs, uterine activity, fetal health, neonatal outcomes, device adherence, and safety throughout the study period.
CONDITIONS
Peroneal Electrical Nerve Stimulation in Pregnancy for Restless Legs Syndrome
V
Vesna Buntak, MD
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Rhode Island Hospital
Lead Sponsor
American College of Chest Physicians
Collaborating Sponsor
This table compares participation in this trial with other options available for this condition. The information is drawn from published research and the trial’s study details and is provided for educational purposes only.
| Factors | TOMAC Peroneal Nerve Stimulation Device | Non-pharmacological Supportive Care |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | A non-invasive, wearable peroneal nerve stimulation device (TOMAC) delivering electrical stimulation to the common peroneal nerves, investigated for symptom relief in pregnant adults with restless legs syndrome (RLS). | General supportive care including lifestyle advice, reassurance, sleep hygiene, and iron supplementation when indicated, as the guideline-recommended standard for RLS in pregnancy. |
| Role in study | Investigational intervention; pregnant participants receive the device in an open-label single-group trial to assess feasibility, acceptability, adherence, symptom impact, sleep, and safety. | Contextual comparator; not assigned in this trial but considered the current-care approach for pregnant patients with RLS as per leading guidelines. |
| Primary use | To explore the feasibility, safety, and acceptability of peroneal nerve stimulation for reducing RLS symptoms and improving sleep in pregnancy. | To alleviate RLS symptoms through non-pharmacological measures that are considered safe in pregnancy, including reassurance, lifestyle modifications, and management of iron deficiency if found. |
| How it is given or performed | After a supervised device titration session with uterine and fetal monitoring, participants use the device at home for up to four 30-minute sessions daily during symptomatic periods or before sleep, for 8 weeks. | Guideline-based supportive care includes optimizing sleep habits, reassurance regarding symptom prognosis, moderate exercise, and dietary counseling. Iron supplementation is recommended if iron deficiency is identified. |
| Evidence status | Investigational in pregnancy. Its efficacy and safety in non-pregnant adults with RLS are supported by randomized trials, but direct evidence in pregnancy is not yet available. | Non-pharmacological approaches are guideline-recommended and widely used. Observational studies suggest symptom improvement, although high-quality controlled-trial evidence in pregnancy remains limited due to ethical/practical constraints. |
| Important limitations | Safety and efficacy in pregnancy remain unproven; small pilot trial with no control group; not recommended in guidelines for pregnancy; monitoring focused on short-term maternal-fetal outcomes. | Effect size and durability of symptom improvement may vary, and high-quality comparative trials are limited. Some patients may experience persistent severe symptoms despite optimal supportive care. |
Disclaimer: This comparison is created with the help of artificial intelligence(AI) and may contain errors or missing information. It is not medical advice and does not mean one option is better or safer than another. Clinical trials are still being studied, and joining a trial is your choice. Please consult your healthcare professional before making any decisions.
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Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 visit (in-person)
Duration - 8 weeks
Participants undergo an in-person supervised titration session with uterine contraction and fetal monitoring at 28 weeks or later to determine comfortable therapeutic intensity. Following titration, participants use the TOMAC™ device at home for an 8-week intervention, performing self-administered 30-minute sessions as needed, preferably during symptom distress or before sleep.
1 in-person titration visit, 1 in-person mid-study visit at week 4, 1 in-person final visit at week 8, and biweekly phone check-ins
Duration - 3 months postpartum
Participants are followed for safety monitoring through a postpartum visit at 3 months after delivery to assess maternal and neonatal health outcomes.
1 in-person postpartum visit
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
NONE
Allocation
NA
Model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary Purpose
TREATMENT
Number of Arms
1
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Lead Sponsor
American College of Chest Physicians
Collaborating Sponsor