Comparative Effects of Aerobic and Muscle Relaxation Exercises in Pregnant Women With Restless Leg Syndrome

Официальное название

Comparative Effects of Aerobic and Muscle Relaxation Exercises to Improve Sleep Quality, Fatigue Level, Pain Intensity and Quality of Life in Pregnant Women With Restless Leg Syndrome

Обзор

This study will be a randomized controlled trial and will be conducted in the Gynecology and Physiotherapy departments of Valencia Health Clinic, Lahore. Non-probability purposive sampling will be used to collect data. A total of 40 pregnant women aged between 20-35 years, in their 2nd or 3rd trimester and clinically diagnosed with RLS, will be included after fulfilling inclusion and exclusion criteria and giving informed consent. Subjects will be randomly divided into two groups using a random number generator table. Group A will receive supervised aerobic exercises for 8 weeks while Group B will undergo progressive muscle relaxation sessions of 20- 25 minutes, also 3 times a week for 8-weeks. Both groups will be assessed at baseline and after the 8-week intervention.

Подробное описание

Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) is a neurological disorder that often worsens during pregnancy, particularly in the second and third trimesters. It is characterized by an uncontrollable urge to move the legs, often accompanied by discomfort or pain, and is known to disrupt sleep, increase fatigue, and negatively affect the quality of life. Pharmacological treatments for RLS during pregnancy are limited due to safety concerns, creating a need for effective, non-drug interventions. Aerobic exercise and progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) are two physiotherapeutic approaches that have shown promise in improving sleep quality and reducing discomfort in various populations, but limited evidence exists regarding their impact on pregnant women with RLS. This study will be a randomized controlled trial and will be conducted in the Gynecology and Physiotherapy departments of Valencia Health Clinic, Lahore. Non-probability purposive sampling will be used to collect data. A total of 40 pregnant women aged between 20-35 years, in their 2nd or 3rd trimester and clinically diagnosed with RLS, will be included after fulfilling inclusion and exclusion criteria and giving informed consent. Subjects will be randomly divided into two groups using a random number generator table. Group A will receive supervised aerobic exercises (brisk walking, cycling, step-ups, etc.) 3 times a week for 8 weeks. Group B will undergo progressive muscle relaxation sessions of 20- 25 minutes, also 3 times a week for 8-weeks. Both groups will be assessed at baseline and after the 8-week intervention. Outcome measures will be evaluated using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) for sleep, Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for pain, and WHOQOL-BREF for quality of life. Data analysis will be performed using SPSS version 26.

Вмешательства

• Другое aerobic exercises
  Participants in Group A will receive supervised aerobic exercise in addition to conventional therapy. Mode: Treadmill walking or stationary cycling (based on participant preference and safety). Intensity: Moderate intensity at 50-60% of maximum heart rate (HRmax), calculated as HRmax = 220 - age. Duration: 30 minutes per session. Frequency: 3 sessions per week. Total Duration: 8 weeks. Monitoring: Heart rate monitors will be used to ensure target heart rate is maintained. Each session will be su
• Другое progressive muscle relaxation
  Participants in Group B will receive supervised progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) in addition to conventional therapy. Muscle Groups: 16 major muscle groups will be targeted sequentially, including feet, calves, thighs, hips, abdomen, chest, arms, hands, shoulders, neck, jaw, eyes, forehead, and face. Technique: Each muscle group will be tensed for 5-7 seconds followed by relaxation for 20-30 seconds. Duration: 30 minutes per session. Frequency: 3 sessions per week. Total Duration: 8 weeks. M

Первичные конечные точки

• Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index [Срок оценки: 8 weeks]
• Fatigue Severity Scale [Срок оценки: 8 weeks]
• Numerical Pain Rating Scale [Срок оценки: 8 weeks]
• WHOQOL-BREF (Quality of Life) [Срок оценки: 8 weeks]

Критерии участия

Критерии включения

• Pregnant women diagnosed with Restless Leg Syndrome based on clinical criteria.

• Gestational age between 20 to 34 weeks.
• Age range between 20-40 years.
• Experiencing moderate to severe sleep disturbance as per Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI score >5).
• Complaints of fatigue and generalized discomfort during pregnancy.

Критерии исключения

• High-risk pregnancy or obstetric complications (e.g., preeclampsia, placenta previa).

• History of neurological or musculoskeletal disorders unrelated to pregnancy.
• Any psychiatric disorder or currently taking sedative medications.
• History of uncontrolled diabetes mellitus or thyroid dysfunction.
• Participation in any structured exercise program or physiotherapy within the last 3 months.

Критерии приведены из реестра в оригинале (на английском). Окончательную оценку соответствия проводит исследовательский центр.

Здоровые добровольцы: Нет

Дизайн исследования

Распределение

Рандомизированное

Модель

Параллельные группы

Маскирование

Двойное слепое

Основная цель

Лечение

Центры проведения

Пакистан · 1 центр

• Valencia health clinic — Lahore

Публикации

• Mislu E, Assalfew B, Arage MW, Chane F, Hailu T, Tenaw LA, Kidie AA, Kumsa H. Prevalence and factors associated with restless legs syndrome among pregnant women in middle-income countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Front Med (Lausanne). 2023 Dec 21;10:1326337. doi: 10.3389/fmed.2023.1326337. eCollection 2023. PMID 38188334
• Dewald-Kaufmann J, de Bruin E, Michael G. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia in School-Aged Children and Adolescents. Sleep Med Clin. 2022 Sep;17(3):355-365. doi: 10.1016/j.jsmc.2022.06.003. PMID 36150799
• Luo Y, Du J, Wang J, Liu P, Shi Z, He Y, Che G, Huang K, Wang J. Progressive muscle relaxation alleviates anxiety and improves sleep quality among healthcare practitioners in a mobile cabin hospital: a pre-post comparative study in China. Front Psychol. 2024 Apr 30;15:1337318. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1337318. eCollection 2024. PMID 38746917
• Sweet L, O'Driscoll K, Blums T, Sommeling M, Kolar R, Teale G, Wynter K. Relationships are the key to a successful publicly funded homebirth program, a qualitative study. Women Birth. 2023 Jul;36(4):377-384. doi: 10.1016/j.wombi.2022.12.005. Epub 2023 Jan 4. PMID 36604197
• Khan IA, Khan M, Raza F, Sheikh MLJMJoN. Enhancing Management of Restless Legs Syndrome through Complementary Physical Therapy: Toward Better Outcomes in a Distressing Sensorimotor Disorder. 2025;9(1):1-17.

Идентификаторы

NCT: NCT07628387 · REC/RCR & AHS/25/0511

Первоисточники (государственные реестры)

• ClinicalTrials.gov (NIH, США)

Открыть это исследование на ClinicalTrials.gov ↗