Abstract
Introduction
Restless legs syndrome (RLS) occurs in approximately 26% of persons with multiple sclerosis (MS) and can worsen other symptoms of MS, including sleep quality. Physical activity represents a promising approach for managing RLS and its secondary effects in MS. This pilot randomized controlled trial examined the feasibility and efficacy of a physical activity intervention for improving RLS severity and secondary sleep outcomes among a sample of adults with MS.
Methods
Participants with MS (N=15) were randomly assigned into intervention (n=8) or waitlist control (n=7) conditions. The physical activity behavioral intervention was delivered over a 16-week period and outcomes were assessed at baseline and immediately following the 16-week period in both conditions.
Results
There was a significant, positive effect of the intervention on overall RLS severity (p=.01;ηρ2=.43), RLS severity during the night (p=.03,ηρ2=.35), RLS severity during the day while resting (p=.01,ηρ2=.44), and RLS severity during the day while active (p<.01,ηρ2=.61), and non-significant improvements in RLS severity while falling asleep (p=.33,ηρ2=.09). There were significant positive effects on sleep satisfaction (p<.01,ηρ2=.49) and non-significant improvements in self-reported global sleep quality (p=.35,ηρ2=.08). There was a significant intervention effect on self-reported time in bed (p=.03,ηρ2=.37) and total sleep time (p=.03,ηρ2=.36), and non-significant improvements in self-reported sleep latency (p=.08,ηρ2=.25), sleep efficiency (p=.27,ηρ2=.11), and daytime sleepiness (p=.52,ηρ2=.04; p=.35,ηρ2=.08; p=.51,ηρ2=.04). There was no significant effect of the intervention on device-measured sleep quality.
Conclusion
This study provides initial evidence for the feasibility and efficacy of a physical activity intervention for reducing RLS severity and possibly self-reported sleep quality outcomes in persons with MS. These preliminary results should inform a future, fully-powered randomized controlled trial that further establishes the efficacy of physical activity for reducing symptoms of RLS and secondary outcomes in a larger sample of adults with MS and RLS.
Support (if any)
This work was supported, in part, by the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute Of Child Health & Human Development of the National Institutes of Health [F31HD097903]. ClinicalTrials.gov Identification Number: NCT0406168.
Restless legs syndrome in Multiple Sclerosis patients: a contributing factor for fatigue, impaired functional capacity, and diminished health-related quality of life
