Investigation of the effectiveness of matrix RHYTHM therapy in restless legs syndrome

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of Matrix Rhythm Therapy (MRT) in patients with Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS). Twenty-eight female patients diagnosed with idiopathic restless legs syndrome were included in the study. Patients were randomized to study (MRT +Home exercise program, n=14, mean age=41.36±9.40 years) and control group (Home exercise program, n=14, mean age=40.36±10.42 years) were divided into 2 groups. Illness severity; International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group Severity Scale (IRLSSGSS), insomnia severity; Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), sleepiness level; Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), sleep quality; Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), depression level; Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and quality of life was assessed by Nottingham Health Profile (NHP). All evaluations were made before and after the treatment. All patients were given an education to protect themselves in daily life activities and a home program consisting of lower extremity stretching and strengthening exercises that they would apply at home for 20-30 minutes a day, 2 days a week, for a total of 5 weeks. In addition to the education and home exercise program, MRT was applied to the thoracic, lumbar region and lower extremity for a total of 60 minutes for 5 weeks, with a total of 10 sessions, 2 days a week, in the study group. When baseline and post-treatment data of the groups were analyzed; in the study group, a significant difference was found in IRLSSGSS, ISI, ESS, PSQI, BDI and in pain, sleep, physical functions sub-parameters and total scores of NHP (p<0.05). In the control group, there was a significant difference in IRLSSGSS, ISI, BDI and in pain, emotional reactions sub-parameters and total scores of NHP (p<0.05). When delta data is compared; it was found that both the home exercise program and the MRT application that we applied in addition to the home exercises were similar (p>0.05). According to the result of the effect size analysis, it was determined that the study group had a higher effect on the evaluated parameters. The results of our study show that both home exercise program and MRT applied together with home exercises have positive effects on reducing the severity of RLS symptoms, improving sleep-related parameters, mood and quality of life in individuals with RLS. Key Words: Restless legs syndrom, matrix rhythm therapy, exercise, sleep, depression, quality of life.