This is an open-label, prospective, non-placebo controlled pilot study. 15 subjects with a diagnosis of restless legs syndrome (ICSD-3 diagnostic criteria) will be recruited from OSF Healthcare Saint Francis Medical Center sleep center and Illinois Neurological Institute. RLS/WED patients who meet inclusion and exclusion criteria during the initial clinic visit will be offered study participation. Standard treatment options will be discussed prior to the enrollment. Patients will be reassured that not participating in the study will not affect the future care they receive at OSF HealthCare. The potential risks and benefits of the study will be provided and, if the patient is interested, informed consent will be obtained. If the subject withdraws consent or does not finish both pre and post evaluation, we will replace the subject with another new recruit. The subject will come to the clinic for 2 visits, a pre-magnesium visit and a post-magnesium visit. Following the completion of the pre-magnesium visit, the subject will be given 200 mg elemental magnesium daily (will be instructed to take with food at dinner) for 8 weeks. Both Visits the following study procedures will be performed: magnesium level, (International Restless Legs Syndrome) IRLS scale, Kohnen Restless Legs Syndrome Quality of Life Instrument (KRLS-QOL) scale and (Multiple Suggested Immobilization (MSI) test. The post magnesium visit will be schedule at the completion of the 8 week dose of magnesium.
The expected results of this study will have a significant impact on the treatment of RLS/WED patients. Magnesium supplementation (if proven to be beneficial) can be utilized as an inexpensive, safer, biologically plausible alternative to dopamine agonists and α2δ calcium-channel ligands.