Abstract
Introduction: Restless leg syndrome (RLS) is a common sensory disturbance in hemodialysis patients causing mental disorders, sleep disturbances, and other problems. Objectives: This study compared the effects of massage and vibration on sleep quality and severity of symptoms of RLS in hemodialysis patients. Patients and Methods: This cross-over clinical trial was conducted on 80 hemodialysis patients with RLS who were assigned into two groups randomly. The first group received massage and the second group received vibration. Each group received the related intervention for one month three times per week each session lasting 10 minutes. One month after the first intervention, the interventions were changed in a cross-over design between the two groups. The severity of symptoms of RLS and sleep quality were assessed before and after interventions using the related questionnaire. Results: The means of severity of symptoms of RLS and sleep quality showed a significant improvement after both interventions of vibration and massage (P<0.001). Additionally, a significant difference was observed in the means of severity of RLS and sleep quality after interventions between two groups hence vibration exerted a greater effect on improving the symptoms of RLS and sleep quality in patients compared to massage (P=0.001). Conclusion: Our findings suggested that both vibration and massage reduce the mean of severity of RLS and improve sleep quality in hemodialysis patients, with vibration exerting a greater effect compared to massage.
Highlights
Restless leg syndrome (RLS) is a common sensory disturbance in hemodialysis patients causing mental disorders, sleep disturbances, and other problems
Implication for health policy/practice/research/medical education: In a study on 80 hemodialysis patients, we found vibration and massage therapy significantly reduced the mean intensity of restless leg syndrome symptoms and improved sleep quality in hemodialysis patients
Patients and Methods Study population This was a randomized cross-over clinical trial conducted on 80 hemodialysis patients who were selected with purposive sampling method from among the hemodialysis patients presenting to three hospitals in Meibod, Ardakan, and Yazd in Iran and assigned randomly into two groups
Summary
Restless leg syndrome (RLS) is a common sensory disturbance in hemodialysis patients causing mental disorders, sleep disturbances, and other problems. Objectives: This study compared the effects of massage and vibration on sleep quality and severity of symptoms of RLS in hemodialysis patients. Results: The means of severity of symptoms of RLS and sleep quality showed a significant improvement after both interventions of vibration and massage (P < 0.001). A significant difference was observed in the means of severity of RLS and sleep quality after interventions between two groups vibration exerted a greater effect on improving the symptoms of RLS and sleep quality in patients compared to massage (P = 0.001). Doyle et al stated that whole body vibration before hemodialysis is acceptable and safe and is associated with improved physical function (17) Massage therapy is another non-pharmaceutical treatment for RLS. Pharmaceutical therapies are common for treating RLS, considering the concerns with the complications associated with drug therapy, the researchers are seeking complementary treatments which are cost-effective with little complications
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