The effect of progressive muscle relaxation exercise on the intensity of symptoms and quality of sleep and quality of life in pregnant women with restless leg syndrome

Abstract

ObjectiveThis study, accordingly, was conducted with the purpose of investigating the effect of progressive muscle relaxation exercise on the intensity of restless leg syndrome (RLS) and RLS-related quality of life and sleep in pregnant women with RLS. MethodsThis one-centered, parallel randomized controlled study was conducted with 52 pregnant women. 27–28th of pregnancy, progressive muscle relaxation exercises training was shown and they were asked to practice them 3 times a week for 8 weeks. ResultsIt was found that the RLS Intensity Scale and PSQI posttest mean scores of the women in experiment group are lower on a statically significant level than the mean scores of the women in control group (p = 0.000 and p = 0.001). It was detected that the RLS-Qol posttest mean scores of the women in the experiment group are higher than the mean scores in the control group on a statistically significant level (p = 0.000). ConclusionsIt was seen that progressive muscle relaxation exercises alleviate RLS intensity and symptoms and improve RLS-related quality of life and sleep in pregnant women. Practice implicationProgressive muscle relaxation exercises are beneficial for pregnant women and can be easily integrated into practice.