Exercise and Restless Legs Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Melissa McManama Aukerman, MS; Douglas Aukerman, MD; Max Bayard, MD; Fred Tudiver, MD; Lydia Thorp, MD; Beth Bailey, PhD

Disclosures

J Am Board Fam Med. 2006;19(5):487-493.

Conclusions

The findings of this study demonstrate that an exercise program consisting of a resistance and aerobic component was effective in improving symptoms of restless legs syndrome. No effort was made to discontinue medications that may exacerbate or improve RLS symptoms. As such, these findings support the use of exercise as an adjunct to treatment of RLS. Future studies should include larger cohorts, assess the efficacy of various types of exercise (ie, aerobic versus resistance), and should control for medication usage.

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Acknowledgments

We thank Deanna Bayard and Tanner Clements for assistance with data collection and input.

Funding information

This project was funded by a Research Development Committee grant from East Tennessee State University.

Reprint Address

Max Bayard, MD, Department of Family Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City Family Practice, 917 W. Walnut, Johnson City, TN 37604 (E-mail: bayard@mail.etsu.edu )

Cite this: Exercise and Restless Legs Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Trial - Medscape - Sep 01, 2006.

Table 1. Baseline Characteristics of Participants with RLS by Treatment Group (N = 28)
Background Characteristics	Exercise Group (N = 11)	Control Group (N = 17)	t Test Value	P Value
Age (years)
Mean	53.3	53.9
SD	9.9	9.9	0.17	.863
Gender
Male	7 (64%)	4 (24%)	5.87	.053
Female	4 (37%)	13 (76%)
Race
Caucasian	11 (100%)	16 (94%)	0.79	.673
Height (inches)
Mean	69.1	65.7
SD	3.5	3.7	-2.31	.030
Weight (pounds)
Mean	205.1	176.6
SD	50.4	48.4	-1.48	.151

Table 2. RLS Rating Scale Scores by Treatment Group
RLS Score	Exercise Group (N = 11)	Control Group (N = 17)	t Test Value	P Value
Baseline
Total severity score	20.6 (6.4)	22.5 (6.4)	0.74	.464
Single item rating	4.0 (1.8)	4.2 (1.7)	0.27	.792
6 weeks
Total severity score	12.6 (4.8)	20.8 (7.4)	3.27	.003
Single item rating	1.7 (0.5)	4.1 (1.8)	4.21	<.001
12 weeks
Total severity score	12.1 (5.6)	21.5 (6.3)	3.75	.001
Single item rating	2.0 (1.2)	4.3 (1.3)	4.48	<.001

Note: Total severity scale scores range from zero to 40 with higher values being indicative of more severe symptoms. Single item rating is an ordinal scale with range of 1 to 8. Higher values are indicative of more severe symptoms. Cell values represent means (SD).

Table 2. RLS Rating Scale Scores by Treatment Group
RLS Score	Exercise Group (N = 11)	Control Group (N = 17)	t Test Value	P Value
Baseline
Total severity score	20.6 (6.4)	22.5 (6.4)	0.74	.464
Single item rating	4.0 (1.8)	4.2 (1.7)	0.27	.792
6 weeks
Total severity score	12.6 (4.8)	20.8 (7.4)	3.27	.003
Single item rating	1.7 (0.5)	4.1 (1.8)	4.21	<.001
12 weeks
Total severity score	12.1 (5.6)	21.5 (6.3)	3.75	.001
Single item rating	2.0 (1.2)	4.3 (1.3)	4.48	<.001

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