Enhanced external counter pulsation (EECP) as a novel treatment for restless legs syndrome (RLS): a preliminary test of the vascular neurologic hypothesis for RLS

EECP improves RLS symptoms significantly and could be considered as an adjunct treatment for patients with RLS. In some cases, the improvement lasts for months after the course of treatment. In this way EECP is unique and unlike pharmacotherapy which requires continuous daily treatment. Furthermore, our results suggest that decreases in vascular flow influence the peripheral or central nervous system leading to the sensory symptoms of RLS. A larger number of patients studied under blinded conditions is needed to draw further conclusions.