Hypotensive akathisia: autonomic failure associated with leg fidgeting while sitting.

The author describes a distinct clinical syndrome in six patients with autonomic failure who manifested habitual, voluntary, transiently suppressible, yet irresistible leg movements occurring only in the sitting position. Keeping the legs still brought on vague symptoms of fatigue, lightheadedness, or apprehension. Repetitive leg crossing, muscle tensing, foot twirling or wiggling, or heel or toe floor tapping while sitting may have compensated for orthostatic hypotension and raised systolic blood pressure by a mean of 28 mm Hg and diastolic pressure by a mean of 11 mm Hg.