Effect of baclofen on sleep‐related periodic leg movements

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Abstract
Five patients with nocturnal myoclonus (periodic leg movements during sleep), mean age 59.6 years, were monitored lygraphically for fifteen successive nights. Using a double‐blind drug study design with placebo at baseline, we inestigated the effect of baclofen on these patients. All patients had the repetitive sleep‐related abnormal movements dring both the baseline nights and those on which baclofen had been administered. The number of movements varied during the four baseline nights, but the movements induced sleep fragmentation, i.e., very short electroencepha graphic changes. Baclofen increased the number of movements but decreased their amplitude during non–rapid eye movevement (REM) sleep and shortened the interval between movements. Its effect on sleep was dose related: as dosages Ceased, delta sleep progressively increased and REM sleep decreased. Sleep fragmentation resulting from muscle aches decreased, as indicated by the diminution in alpha electroencephalographic arousals and K complexes. Baclo‐dosages of 20 mg and 40 mg were the most efficacious.