0701 Perceptions of People with Restless Legs Syndrome on the Effect of Exercise on Symptoms: Results of a Nationwide Survey

Abstract

Abstract Introduction Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a prevalent, sensorimotor sleep disorder that significantly disrupts sleep and is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease, hypertension, stroke, depression and anxiety, and causes overall poorer health. As two key diagnostic features of RLS include the worsening of symptoms at rest and relief by movement, there is increasing interest in utilizing physical activity and exercise to manage symptoms. The present study describes personal perceptions of the effects of exercise on symptoms of RLS. Methods Participants (N=528) completed a mixed-methods, nationwide survey including items assessing personal experiences with exercise and RLS (both positive and negative) as well as RLS diagnosis, RLS severity, and demographic and clinical characteristics. Results Most respondents (72%) perceived that exercise improves RLS symptoms with only a small proportion (13%) perceiving exercise only makes symptoms worse. Participants described any abrupt change in exercise would almost always elicit RLS symptoms (e.g., hiking for a long time, stopping an exercise routine) and that a consistent pattern of exercise seemed to be associated with improvements in RLS symptoms and an overall beneficial effect on frequency of symptomatic bouts. Most (55%) perceived exercise in the morning (4AM to noon) improved their symptoms and 56% perceived exercise in the afternoon/evening (4PM to 11 PM) made symptoms worse. Participants described several questions that they wanted answered regarding the evidence for exercise in RLS and specific exercise prescription recommendations. Conclusion Our results suggest that there is individual variation in the response to exercise, whereby some people experience improvements in symptoms with exercise, while others experience worsening of symptoms with exercise. Such individual differences and specific attributes should be considered in exercise-based management to further optimize personalized treatment plans to prevent and manage symptoms in people with RLS. Support (if any) This work was supported, in part, by the National Heart, lung, and Blood institute [T32HL110952].