Effects of progressive muscle relaxation exercises and relaxation music
on the severity of restless legs syndrome and sleep quality during
pregnancy: A randomized controlled trial
Abstract
Objective: to investigate progressive muscle relaxation exercises and
relaxation music on the severity of restless legs syndrome (RLS) and
sleep quality in pregnant women. Design: Randomized clinical trial.
Setting: A university clinic in Turkey. Population: 67 pregnant women
with RLS. Methods: Participants were allocated into three groups; the
control group, progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) group and relaxation
music (RM) group. The PMR and RM programs were explained toall
participants, and the first program was tested under the supervision of
the researcher. PMR and RM group participants performed the program
daily throughout 4 weeks. Severity of RLS with the International
Restless Leg Syndrome Scale (IRLSS) and sleep quality with the
Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) were assessed at baseline, 2 and 4
weeks for all the groups. Results: The groups were similar in terms of
demographic and clinical characteristics, as well as IRLSS and PSQI
scores at baseline. The PMR and RM groups showed significant improvement
in terms of IRLSS (severity of RLS) score; the PMR group, however,
experienced better alleviation in IRLSS score than the RM group. The PMR
and RM groups showed significant improvement in terms of PSQI (sleep
quality) score; however, there was no statistical difference, when PMR
compared to RM group. Conclusion: PMR and also RM as complementary
therapies could be used to alleviate the severity of RLS and improve
sleep quality during pregnancy. PMR have better improvement in
alleviating the severity of RLS.