Sanjiao acupuncture combined with abdominal massage for restless legs syndrome in maintenance hemodialysis patients: A randomized controlled trial.
Nan Hu, Chuhan Xu, Na Sun et al.
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In 30 seconds
This single-centre randomized controlled trial evaluated whether abdominal massage added to Sanjiao acupuncture improved restless legs syndrome (RLS) in 88 maintenance hemodialysis patients with moderate-to-severe symptoms. Both groups received conventional hemodialysis and acupuncture; the combined group also received massage. In the intention-to-treat analysis, the combined group had a higher responder rate than the acupuncture-only group (72.7% vs. 47.7%, P = 0.029) and lower endpoint IRLS scores (median 0.00 vs. 14.50, P = 0.029). Sleep quality improved in both groups without a significant between-group difference.
Key findings
- In the intention-to-treat analysis, responder rates were 72.7% with combined therapy and 47.7% with acupuncture alone (P = 0.029).
- Endpoint IRLS scores were lower with combined therapy than acupuncture alone (median 0.00 vs. 14.50, P = 0.029).
- PSQI improved in both groups, with no significant between-group difference.
- Adverse events were similar (15.9% vs. 13.6%, P = 0.772); no serious events occurred.
Why it matters
RLS can be difficult to manage in people receiving maintenance hemodialysis, and this trial found greater symptom improvement when abdominal massage was added to acupuncture. The findings offer evidence about a non-pharmacological adjunct in this population, while the lack of a sleep-quality difference and uncertainty about the massage-specific effect temper interpretation.
What to keep in mind
The trial was single-centre. The authors note that the independent contribution of massage cannot be separated from increased therapeutic contact time; the 3-month recurrence analysis was severely underpowered.