Investigation of the Effects of Different Exercise Programs in Patients With Restless Legs Syndrome.

Investigation of the Effects of Different Exercise Programs on Symptoms, Sleep, Cognitive Functions, Fatigue, Quality of Life, and Psychological Status in Patients With Restless Legs Syndrome.

Restless leg syndrome (RLS) is a very common neurological condition characterized by an uncontrollable desire to move the legs. Due to the traumatic effect of RLS on morbidity, the patient is negatively affected in many different directions. The duration and quality of sleep of the patients decrease, and their cognitive functions change. The prevalence or risk of anxiety and depression increases in this population. At the same time, the quality of life of patients is significantly reduced. Among the different pharmacological agents used in RLS, dopamine agonists are the most widely used. However, the reporting of serious and common side effects related to this treatment has led to non-pharmacological approaches in the treatment of RLS and the effectiveness of many different approaches has been investigated. The exercise approach, which is determined to be effective in the treatment of the disease, is a subject that has been little studied. The type, duration and frequency of optimal exercise could not be standardized. In addition, the effect of exercise on RLS patients has been investigated in limited subjects. For this reason, the aim of our study is to examine the effect of different exercise programs on symptoms, sleep, cognitive functions, quality of life, psychological status and fatigue in patients with RLS.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Having been diagnosed with RLS according to the International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group 2014 criteria
• Being over the age of 18
• Being literate
• Not having received any treatment for RLS, discontinuing treatment, or continuing symptoms despite current treatment.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Having any of musculoskeletal disorders that prevent physical activity
• History of ischemic heart disease (recent myocardial infarction or unstable angina, uncontrolled hypertension)
• Liver dysfunction
• Kidney dysfunction
• Anemia
• Diagnosis of another sleep disorder
• Diagnosis of gastrointestinal disease (irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis etc.)
• Pregnancy
• History of psychiatric, psychoactive, antidepressant medication use
• History of malignancy