The Effect of Selected Core Stability Exercises on Restless Legs Syndrome and Quality of Life in the Elderly Undergoing Hemodialysis

The elderly individuals undergoing hemodialysis have lower quality of life compared to their healthy counterparts due to the complications associated with treatment and sedentary lifestyle. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of selected core stability exercises on restless legs syndrome and quality of life in the elderly patients undergoing hemodialysis.

In this quasi-experimental study, a total of 30 patients undergoing hemodialysis with the mean age of 62.24±6.51 years and the mean hemodialysis duration of 29.4±18.44 months, were selected using the purposive convenience sampling method and were randomly assigned to two groups of experimental and control (each 15 subjects). To assess the restless legs syndrome and the quality of life, (RLS) and Kidney Disease Quality of Life Short Form (KDQOL-SF) questionnaires, were used. The experimental group performed selected core stability exercises for 6 weeks (three 45-minute sessions per week). Data analysis was carried out using analysis of variance statistical test at the significance level of p<0.05.

Changes and interactions in both variables of restless legs syndrome (p<0.001) and quality of life (p<0.001) was significant in the posttest compared to the pretest in the experimental group. Moreover, a significant improvement was observed in the experimental group compared to the control group in the restless legs syndrome and quality of life (p<0/05).

Based on the obtained results, the care staff of dialysis centers can recommend the core stability exercises as a safe and functional strategy to improve restless legs syndrome and quality of life in the elderly patients undergoing hemodialysis