Comparison of the Effect of Cold Dialysate versus Stretching Exercises on Severity of Restless Legs Syndrome in Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is prevalent among patients undergoing hemodialysis. This research suggests that cold dialysis solution and stretching exercises are effective approaches reducing RLS; however, they should be adopted according to the patient’s condition.

This study aimed to compare cold dialysate with stretching exercises on RLS severity in patients undergoing hemodialysis.

This two-group randomized clinical trial was conducted on 44 hemodialysis patients with RLS. One group received cold dialysis (35.5°C) and the other group performed stretching exercises in two hemodialysis centers in Sabzevar, Razavi Khorasan Province, Iran, in 2019. The severity of RLS was measured in both groups using the IRLS scale at the baseline and end of each week for 6 weeks. The data were analyzed in SPSS (version 21) using repeated measures ANOVA and Friedman’s test.

The mean age of participants in cold dialysis and stretching exercise groups were 54.5±13.6 and 54.5±10.8 years, respectively. The Friedman test results showed a significant reduction in the severity of RLS in both groups (P=0.001). Moreover, the repeated measures ANOVA results revealed that the time effect was significant (P=0.001). However, group effect (P=0.09) and interaction between time and group (P=0.25) were not significantly different.

Implications for Practice:

 Both methods of cold dialysate and stretching exercises decreased RLS severity; therefore, they can be suggested to nurses as effective strategies. Due to the limited sample size, studies with larger sample sizes are recommended.