Effects of Different Exercise Programs on Symptoms, Sleep, and Quality of Life in Patients with Primary Restless Legs Syndrome.

BACKGROUND

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a sensorimotor disorder that can have a significant detrimental impact on the quality of life and sleep.

OBJECTIVES

Our aim was to examine the effects of aerobic exercise and stretching exercise programs on symptom severity, sleep, and quality of life in patients with primary RLS.

METHODS

A total of 18 patients between the ages of 22 and 61 were randomly divided into 3 groups as aerobic exercise, stretching exercises, and control. All exercise programs were applied 3 times a week for 8 weeks. Evaluations were performed before and after treatment. Symptom severity of the patients was evaluated by the International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group Rating Scale, sleep was evaluated with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and actigraphy, and quality of life was evaluated with the John Hopkins Restless Legs Syndrome Quality of Life Questionnaire. Recovery status of the patients was determined using the post treatment global change scale.

RESULTS

Aerobic exercise and the stretching exercise program were found to be effective in decreasing RLS symptoms ( = 0.025,  = 0.034) and improving subjective sleep quality ( = 0.034,  = 0.025), overall sleep quality ( < 0.001,  = 0.034), and quality of life ( = 0.009,  = 0016). Aerobic exercises were found to be more effective in reducing wake after sleep onset of sleep ( = 0.048), whereas stretching exercises reduced sleep disorders ( = 0.025).

CONCLUSION

Both exercise approaches have been identified as highly effective approaches in patients with RLS. The treatment can be planned according to the choice of the available facilities, patient and clinician preference, and the advantages of the 2 exercise approaches.