Devices and methods for treating restless leg syndrome

A method of treating restless leg syndrome, the method comprising:

• selecting a patient experiencing restless leg syndrome;
• vibrating a portion of the patient with a vibration generator at a frequency of between 50 hz and 10 per minute during a restless leg syndrome episode at an amplitude and duration sufficient to act as a counter-stimulation vibration to said restless leg syndrome episode and either to allow the patient to return to sleep or to not wake a sleeping patient;
• and
• ramping down the counter-stimulation vibration so as not to waken or alarm the patient.

A method of treating restless leg syndrome, the method comprising:

• selecting a patient experiencing restless leg syndrome;
• vibrating a portion of the patient with a vibration generator at a frequency of between 50 hz and 10 per minute during a restless leg syndrome episode at an amplitude and duration sufficient to act as a counter-stimulation vibration to said restless leg syndrome episode and either to allow the patient to return to sleep or to not wake a sleeping patient;
• and
• initiating said vibrating step at the onset of an episode of restless leg syndrome symptoms;
• and
• ramping down the counter-stimulation vibration so as not to awaken or alarm the patient.

A method of treating restless leg syndrome, the method comprising:

• selecting a patient experiencing restless leg syndrome;
• vibrating a portion of the patient with a vibration generator at a frequency of between 50 hz and 10 per minute at an amplitude, and duration sufficient to act as a counter-stimulation vibration to restless leg syndrome but low enough to allow the patient to sleep;
• and
• initiating said stimulating step at the onset of an episode of restless leg syndrome symptoms;
• and
• ramping down the counter-stimulation vibration so as not to awaken the patient.

A method of treating restless leg syndrome, the method comprising:

• selecting a patient experiencing restless leg syndrome;
• vibrating a portion of the patient with a vibration generator at a frequency of between 50 hz and 10 per minute at an amplitude and duration sufficient to act as a counter-stimulation vibration to restless leg syndrome but low enough to allow the patient to sleep;
• and
• performing said stimulating step while (1) the patient is attempting to sleep and (2) while the patient is experiencing symptoms of restless leg symptoms;
• and
• ramping down the counter-stimulation vibration so as not to awaken the patient.

A method of treating restless leg syndrome, the method comprising:

• selecting a patient experiencing restless leg syndrome;
• applying a counter-stimulation generation device to a leg of the patient, said counter-stimulation generation device comprising a vibration generator, a controller operable to drive the counter-stimulation generation device, and a sleeve or pad for holding the vibration generator, said vibration generator operable to generate a counter-stimulation having a frequency of between 50 hz and 10 per minute of an amplitude, and time duration sufficient to relieve restless leg syndrome symptoms but low enough to allow the patient to sleep;
• operating the counter-stimulation generation device to provide counter-stimulating vibration to the legs of the patient, at the onset of a restless leg syndrome episode;
• ramping down the counter-stimulation vibration after a period of 5 to 30 minutes of counter-stimulation vibrations.