A K Reimers1, V Heidenreich2, H-J Bittermann3, G Knapp4, C D Reimers5. 1. Department of Sport Science and Sport, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Gebbertstraße 123b, 91058, Erlangen, Germany. anne.reimers@fau.de. 2. Practice for Neurology, Damm 49, 25421, Pinneberg, Germany. 3. Practice for Neurology, Harksheider Str. 3, 22399, Hamburg, Germany. 4. Department of Statistics, TU Dortmund University, Vogelpothsweg 87, 44227, Dortmund, Germany. 5. Practice for Neurology, Paracelsus-Klinik, In der Vahr 65, 28329, Bremen, Germany.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The primary symptoms of restless legs syndrome (RLS) are sleep onset insomnia and difficulty to maintain sleep. Previous studies have shown that regular physical activity can reduce the risk of developing RLS. However, the relationship between physical activity and sleep quality parameters in individuals suffering from RLS has not yet been investigated by applying accelerometry. Thus, the present study investigates the impact of physical activity (measuring both intensity levels and duration of physical activity) during the day (7-12 h, 12-18 h, 18-23 h) on sleep quality in patients suffering from idiopathic RLS by applying a real-time approach. METHODS: In a sample of 47 participants suffering from idiopathic RLS, physical activity and sleep quality were measured over one week using accelerometers. For data analysis, physical activity levels and step counts during three periods of the day (morning, afternoon, evening) were correlated with sleep quality parameters of the subsequent night. RESULTS: This observational study revealed that in most instances physical activity was not correlated with sleep parameters (two exceptions exist: steps taken in the morning were negatively correlated with periodic leg movements during sleep, and physical activity in the evening was negatively correlated with total sleep time). The physical activity levels of the participants in this study, however, were unexpectedly high compared to population-level data and variance in physical activity was low. The average activity was 13,817 (SD = 4086) steps and 347 (SD = 117) minutes of moderate physical activity per day in females, and 10,636 (SD = 3748) steps and 269 (SD = 69) minutes of moderate physical activity in males, respectively. Participants did not engage in any vigorous physical activity. CONCLUSIONS: Further interventional studies are needed to investigate the daily effects of different intensities of physical activity on RLS symptoms.
BACKGROUND: The primary symptoms of restless legs syndrome (RLS) are sleep onset insomnia and difficulty to maintain sleep. Previous studies have shown that regular physical activity can reduce the risk of developing RLS. However, the relationship between physical activity and sleep quality parameters in individuals suffering from RLS has not yet been investigated by applying accelerometry. Thus, the present study investigates the impact of physical activity (measuring both intensity levels and duration of physical activity) during the day (7-12 h, 12-18 h, 18-23 h) on sleep quality in patients suffering from idiopathic RLS by applying a real-time approach. METHODS: In a sample of 47 participants suffering from idiopathic RLS, physical activity and sleep quality were measured over one week using accelerometers. For data analysis, physical activity levels and step counts during three periods of the day (morning, afternoon, evening) were correlated with sleep quality parameters of the subsequent night. RESULTS: This observational study revealed that in most instances physical activity was not correlated with sleep parameters (two exceptions exist: steps taken in the morning were negatively correlated with periodic leg movements during sleep, and physical activity in the evening was negatively correlated with total sleep time). The physical activity levels of the participants in this study, however, were unexpectedly high compared to population-level data and variance in physical activity was low. The average activity was 13,817 (SD = 4086) steps and 347 (SD = 117) minutes of moderate physical activity per day in females, and 10,636 (SD = 3748) steps and 269 (SD = 69) minutes of moderate physical activity in males, respectively. Participants did not engage in any vigorous physical activity. CONCLUSIONS: Further interventional studies are needed to investigate the daily effects of different intensities of physical activity on RLS symptoms.
Authors: Giorgos K Sakkas; Georgios M Hadjigeorgiou; Christina Karatzaferi; Maria D Maridaki; Christoforos D Giannaki; Peter R Mertens; Christos Rountas; Marianna Vlychou; Vassilios Liakopoulos; Ioannis Stefanidis Journal: ASAIO J Date: 2008 Mar-Apr Impact factor: 2.872
Authors: James Chung-Wai Cheung; Bryan Pak-Hei So; Ken Hok Man Ho; Duo Wai-Chi Wong; Alan Hiu-Fung Lam; Daphne Sze Ki Cheung Journal: Front Psychiatry Date: 2022-09-16 Impact factor: 5.435