Cederberg Katie L J, Mathison Brianna, Schuetz Morgan L, Motl Robert W
Department of Physical Therapy, University of Alabama at Birmingham, USA (KLJC [now at Stanford University], BM, MLS, RWM).
Int J MS Care. 2022 Jul-Aug;24(4):154-161. doi: 10.7224/1537-2073.2020-120. Epub 2021 Nov 16.
Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a sleep disorder present in as many as 26% of persons with multiple sclerosis (MS) and can be associated with cognitive function. The present study examined the relationships between RLS symptoms (severity, frequency, occurrence) and cognitive function in adults with MS who have RLS.
Twenty-two participants attended 1 laboratory session and completed the International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group Rating Scale (IRLS), the Restless Legs Syndrome-6 Scale, and then the Brief International Cognitive Assessment for Multiple Sclerosis battery consisting of the Symbol Digit Modalities Test; California Verbal Learning Test, Second Edition; and Brief Visuospatial Memory Test-Revised.
Nonparametric bivariate correlations indicated that worse IRLS total severity was associated with slower processing speed (ρ = -0.42), worse verbal memory (ρ = -0.63), and worse visual memory (ρ = -0.61); worse RLS severity at falling asleep was associated with worse verbal memory (ρ = -0.45) and worse visual memory (ρ = -0.55); and worse RLS severity during the day while active was associated with slower processing speed (ρ = -0.58), worse verbal memory (ρ = -0.52), and worse visual memory (ρ = -0.60).
These results suggest that those with more severe RLS, including worse symptoms at falling asleep and during the day while active, might experience worse cognitive function, particularly processing speed and memory. Future research should evaluate whether treatment of RLS symptoms can offer new opportunities for managing cognitive dysfunction in adults with MS.
不安腿综合征（RLS）是一种睡眠障碍，在多达26%的多发性硬化症（MS）患者中存在，并且可能与认知功能有关。本研究调查了患有RLS的成年MS患者中RLS症状（严重程度、频率、发作情况）与认知功能之间的关系。
22名参与者参加了1次实验室测试，完成了国际不安腿综合征研究组评分量表（IRLS）、不安腿综合征-6量表，然后完成了由符号数字模式测验、加利福尼亚言语学习测验第二版和简短视觉空间记忆测验修订版组成的多发性硬化症简短国际认知评估套件。
非参数双变量相关性表明，IRLS总严重程度越差与处理速度越慢（ρ = -0.42）、言语记忆越差（ρ = -0.63）和视觉记忆越差（ρ = -0.61）相关；入睡时RLS严重程度越差与言语记忆越差（ρ = -0.45）和视觉记忆越差（ρ = -0.55）相关；白天活动时RLS严重程度越差与处理速度越慢（ρ = -0.58）、言语记忆越差（ρ = -0.52）和视觉记忆越差（ρ = -0.60）相关。
这些结果表明，RLS更严重的患者，包括入睡时和白天活动时症状更差的患者，可能会经历更差的认知功能，尤其是处理速度和记忆。未来的研究应该评估治疗RLS症状是否能为管理成年MS患者的认知功能障碍提供新的机会。
