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Benzodiazepines for restless legs syndrome
Karla Carlos1, Gilmar F Prado1, Camila Dm Teixeira1
1Department of Neurology, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
|March 21, 2017
Summary
The effectiveness of benzodiazepines for treating restless legs syndrome (RLS) is unknown. No studies met the criteria for this systematic review on RLS treatment options.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Sleep Medicine
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) affects 5-15% of the population, significantly impacting sleep and quality of life.
- Benzodiazepines are commonly considered for sleep induction, leading to their intuitive use in RLS management.
- Current guidelines suggest benzodiazepines are not a first-line RLS treatment but may be used as adjunctive therapy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of benzodiazepine treatment for idiopathic Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS).
- To compare benzodiazepine efficacy against placebo or other interventions for RLS.
- To include unconfounded trials comparing benzodiazepines versus open controls.
Main Methods:
- Searched multiple databases (CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, LILACS) in March 2016 for relevant studies.
- Included randomized clinical trials investigating benzodiazepine treatment for idiopathic RLS.
- Checked study references and contacted authors for additional relevant trials.
Main Results:
- No studies met the inclusion criteria for this systematic review.
- Data collection and analysis were not performed due to the absence of eligible studies.
- Two crossover studies are awaiting classification pending further data.
Conclusions:
- The effectiveness of benzodiazepines for treating Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) remains undetermined.
- Further research is required to establish the efficacy and safety of benzodiazepines in RLS management.
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