Stellate Ganglion Stimulation for Restless Leg Syndrome in Hemodialysis Patients

June 15, 2026 updated by: Samar Mohamed Mohamed Mabrouk, Cairo University

Effect of Transcutaneous Stellate Ganglion Electrical Stimulation on Restless Leg Syndrome in Hemodialysis Patients

This randomized controlled trial investigated the effect of transcutaneous stellate ganglion electrical nerve stimulation (TENS-SG) on restless legs syndrome (RLS) in patients undergoing hemodialysis. Thirty-six patients aged 40-50 years were randomly assigned to two equal groups: Group A received active TENS-SG applied over the cervical-thoracic (stellate ganglion) region three times weekly for four weeks, while Group B received placebo stimulation.

The study evaluated multiple outcomes including RLS severity (IRLS scale), sleep quality (PSQI), quality of life (SF-12), pain perception (pressure pain threshold), blood pressure, psychological status (HADS), and plasma β-endorphin levels.

Results demonstrated that TENS-SG significantly reduced RLS severity and improved sleep quality, pain threshold, quality of life, and psychological well-being compared to placebo. It also significantly reduced systolic and diastolic blood pressure and markedly increased β-endorphin levels.

Overall, the findings suggest that TENS-SG is a safe, non-invasive, and effective intervention for improving neurological, cardiovascular, psychological, and quality-of-life outcomes in hemodialysis patients with RLS.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Completed

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
36

Phase

Phase

The stage of a clinical trial studying a drug or biological product, based on definitions developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The phase is based on the study's objective, the number of participants, and other characteristics. There are five phases: Early Phase 1 (formerly listed as Phase 0), Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Not Applicable is used to describe trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

  • Egypt
      • Cairo, Egypt
        • Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • 36 patients will be involved in this study according to the following criteria

    • Patient undergoes four main clinical criteria for the diagnosis of RLS according to the international restless leg syndrome study group (IRLSSG) including

      1. an urge to move legs that is usually associated with paresthesia.
      2. alleviation of the symptoms by moving the legs.
      3. aggravation or exacerbation of the symptoms particularly at rest or during sitting or lying down in the bed.
      4. worsening of the signs at night.
    • Male and Female patients.
    • The age will range from 40-50 years old.
    • BMI (Body Mass Index 25-34.9 kg/m2
    • Patients with grade 2 Hypertension (160-179/100-109 mmHg)
    • Hemodialysis patients for at least 1year and have restless leg syndrome (RLS).

Exclusion Criteria:

  • History of Deep venous thrombosis

    • History of Bleeding disorders
    • Have an implantable device like a pacemaker
    • Recent Infected wound
    • History of allergic response to the electrodes, gel or tape
    • patients who participating in any other exercise program
    • Loss of sensation or numbness

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: Single

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Participant Group / Arm

A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives a specific intervention/treatment, or no intervention, according to the trial's protocol.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Experimental: TENS Group
Patients will receive transcutaneous stellate ganglion stimulation three times per week for four weeks in addition to standard care
Device: transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation is applied over the stellate ganglion region three times per week for four weeks. The stimulation is used as a non-invasive neuromodulation technique to manage restless legs syndrome in hemodialysis patients.
Placebo Comparator: Sham Stimulation Control Group
Patients will receive a placebo (sham) TENS intervention with electrodes applied but no electrical stimulation (zero intensity), in addition to standard care
Device: Sham transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation
Electrodes are applied over the same anatomical site as the active intervention; however, no electrical current is delivered (zero intensity). The procedure mimics the active treatment to ensure blinding of participants.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
International Restless Leg Syndrome Rating Scale (IRLS)
Time Frame: Baseline and 4 weeks after treatment
Assessment of restless legs syndrome severity using the International Restless Legs Syndrome Rating Scale
Baseline and 4 weeks after treatment

Secondary Outcome Measures

Secondary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, a planned outcome measure that is not as important as the primary outcome measure for evaluating the effect of an intervention but is still of interest. Most clinical studies have more than one secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI
Time Frame: Baseline and 4 weeks after treatment
Assessment of sleep quality using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index
Baseline and 4 weeks after treatment
Short Form-12 Health Survey (SF-12)
Time Frame: Baseline and 4 weeks after treatment
Assessment of health-related quality of life using the SF-12 questionnaire
Baseline and 4 weeks after treatment
Pressure Pain Threshold
Time Frame: Baseline and 4 weeks after treatment
Assessment of pressure pain threshold using pressure algometry
Baseline and 4 weeks after treatment
Plasma Beta-Endorphin Level
Time Frame: Baseline and 4 weeks after treatment
Measurement of plasma beta-endorphin concentration from blood samples
Baseline and 4 weeks after treatment

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
Cairo University

Investigators

Investigators

A researcher involved in a clinical study. Related terms include site principal investigator, site sub-investigator, study chair, study director, and study principal investigator.
  • Principal Investigator: Marwa Mahmoud El Sayed, Assistant Professor, Cairo University

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
October 10, 2025

Primary Completion (Actual)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
March 10, 2026

Study Completion (Actual)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
May 30, 2026

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
June 15, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
June 15, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
June 18, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
June 18, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
June 15, 2026

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
June 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • SGB-RLS-2026

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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