Stretching Exercises Versus Thermotherapy on Restless Legs Syndrome Symptoms
Condition: Muscle Disorder
MeSH terms: Muscular Diseases; Psychomotor Agitation; Restless Legs Syndrome
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      To compare the effects of stretching exercises versus thermotherapy on RLS symptoms and sleep
      quality among pregnant women.

      Research hypotheses:

        -  Pregnant women who perform leg stretching exercises exhibit lower RLS symptoms severity
           and pain level than those who applied thermotherapy.

        -  Pregnant women who perform leg stretching exercises exhibit higher sleep quality than
           those who applied thermotherapy.
    

Detailed description: 
      a quasi-experimental study was carried out at the antenatal outpatient clinic of XXXX. A
      sample of 60 pregnant women was randomly assigned to two groups. One group was instructed to
      perform stretching exercises daily for one week, and the other group applied thermotherapy.
      They rated their RLS symptoms, pain level, and sleep quality at baseline and after receiving
      interventions.

      A convenience sampling of 60 pregnant women who fulfilled the following inclusion criteria
      was recruited: suffering from RLS according to the IRLSSG criteria during the third-trimester
      of a singleton pregnancy; rated restlessness severity greater than ten on the RLS Rating
      Scale, and compliant with an iron supplement. While, women who had a high-risk pregnancy,
      e.g., preeclampsia, diabetes, and placenta previa as well as had leg cramps, periodic limb
      movement disorder, leg edema, myalgia, peripheral neuropathy, leg injuries, and anxiety were
      excluded from the study.

      Initially, the researchers approached the pregnant women of both groups in the waiting area
      of the antenatal clinic, established rapport, and collected the socio-demographic data and
      current pregnancy profile, Moreover, baseline RLS symptoms severity, pain, and women's sleep
      quality were assessed.

      Interventions

      For the stretching exercises group; the researchers explained to the women how to perform the
      stretching exercises through different visual materials like videos & pictures, provided a
      demonstration of each step, and emphasized that they could perform this exercise at any
      comfortable position, standing, sitting, or dorsal.

      For the thermotherapy group, women were instructed to warm the water to 43-47 C° using a
      water thermometer or test it with the inner aspect of their wrists. They are also advised to
      avoid using too hot or too cold water. Then immerse their legs for 20 minutes in the warm
      water at a height where the water level can reach their knees. The researchers emphasized
      that the procedure should be done every night for one week.

      For both groups, the intensity of RLS and pain severity of pregnant women of the two groups
      were reassessed after the first session.
    

Intervention name(s): stretching exercises; thermotherapy
Intervention type(s): Behavioral; Other
Intervention description(s): For the stretching exercises group; the researchers explained to the women how to perform the stretching exercises through different visual materials like videos & pictures, provided a demonstration of each step, and emphasized that they could perform this exercise at any comfortable position, standing, sitting, or dorsal.; women were instructed to warm the water to 43-47 C° using a water thermometer or test it with the inner aspect of their wrists. They are also advised to avoid using too hot or too cold water. Then immerse their legs for 20 minutes in the warm water at a h
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Single (Participant)
Primary purpose: Supportive Care
Keywords: Muscle Stretching Exercises; Thermotherapy; Restless legs syndrome; Pain; Sleep quality; pregnant women