Investigation of the effects of different exercise programs on symptom severity, sleep, cognitive functions, fatigue, quality of life, psychological status and gastrointestinal symptoms in patients with restless legs syndrome

Our study was planned to examine the effects of aerobic exercise and stretching exercise programs on symptom, sleep, cognitive functions, fatigue, quality of life, psychological status, and gastrointestinal symptoms in patients with Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS). Eighteen RLS patients between the ages of 22 and 61 diagnosed by a neurologist according to the relevant criteria were included in the study. The patients were randomly divided into 3 groups as aerobic exercise group, stretching exercises group and control group. All exercise programs were applied 3 times a week for 8 weeks. Aerobic exercises were performed on a treadmill at moderate intensity by calculating the heart rate reserve. Stretching exercises included 7 different exercises based on muscles in different parts of the body, with each exercise for a total of 1 minute. Evaluations were performed before and after treatment. Symptom severity of the patients by the "International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group Rating Scale"; sleep status by "Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index" and actigraphy; sleepiness with "Epworth Sleepiness Scale"; cognitive functions with the "Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale"; fatigue with the "Fatigue Severity Scale"; quality of life with the John Hopkins Restless Legs Syndrome Quality of Life Questionnaire; psychological status with the "Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale"; gastrointestinal symptoms were evaluated using the "Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale". The recovery status of the patients was determined using the post-treatment global change scale. Aerobic exercise and stretching exercise program were found to be effective in decreasing RLS symptoms (p=0.025, p=0.034), improving subjective sleep quality (p=0.034, p= 0.025) and overall sleep quality (p<0.001, p=0.034), decreasing anxiety (p=0.034 p=0.039), improving quality of life (p=0.009, p=0016) respectively. Differently from stretching exercises, aerobic exercises were found to be more effective in reducing wake after sleep onset of sleep (p=0.048) and indigestion (p=0.010). Stretching exercises reduced sleep disorders and constipation (p=0.025, p=0.025) and improved cognitive function (p=0.003). Both exercise approaches have been identified as highly effective approaches in RLS patients. The choice can be made by considering the available facilities, the patient's, clinician's preference, and the advantages of the two exercise approaches.