International Musculoskeletal Medicine, 2012/12, 34(4):136–140. doi: 10.1179/1753615412Y.0000000011, type of study: ,rct,,,,,,,,,

Full text    (https://doi.org/10.1179/1753615412Y.0000000011)

Keywords:

strain and counterstrain [33]
strain counterstrain [31]
restless leg disorder [3]
randomized controlled trial [947]

Abstract:

Objective: A single-blind randomized controlled trial was conducted to test the efficacy of Longden's counterstrain technique for restless legs syndrome (RLS).Methods: Participants were adults with moderate-to-severe and persistent RLS, randomized to receive either active or control intervention. The control intervention (B) involved in counterstrain manipulation applied to the lower half of the body. The active intervention (A) was identical to the control intervention plus specific modifications to treat RLS as described by Longden. The success of blinding of participants was confirmed by a questionnaire.Results: Thirty-nine patients entered the trial, 20 assigned to Group A and 19 to Group B. All patients were included in the intention-to-treat analysis. The primary outcome measure, the change on the International Restless Legs Scale total score at 6 weeks, showed a statistically significant difference of 8.06 points (95% confidence interval 3.15?12.96) between groups. This represented an improvement of 42.2% in the active group compared to 8.7% in the controls. No adverse effects were reported.Conclusions: Longden's RLS-specific counterstrain treatment had a clinically important effect at 6 weeks. Trials of longer-term effects and comparison with the standard drug regimes are now required.