A Case of a Patient with Pontine Infarction Complaining of Discomfort in Both Legs

Abstract

Objective: This study examined the effectiveness of Korean medical treatment for an 81-year-old female patient with pontine infarction complaining of discomfort in both legs.Methods: The patient was hospitalized for 45 days and treated with herbal medicine (mainly <i>Bohyulanshin-tang</i> [補血安神湯], pharmacopuncture, acupuncture, electroacupuncture, and moxibustion). We used the International Restless Legs Scale (IRLS) and Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) and checked the duration of the symptoms to evaluate the clinical effects of the treatment.Results: After 45 days of hospitalization, the IRLS score decreased from 33 to 19, with the lowest score of 8 recorded on the twenty-seventh day after discharge. The NRS score and the duration of symptoms also improved, and the treatment effect continued following discharge.Conclusions: This study suggests that Korean medical treatment may be effective for the treatment of restless legs.