Study of the relationship between restless legs syndrome and sleep disturbance among patients in Critical Care Units

Restless Legs Syndrome is a movement disorder characterized by a compelling urge to move the legs during rest or inactivity. Patients often experience muscle twitching leading to sleep disturbance. Restless legs syndrome is more prevalent among patients in critical care units than ordinary people. Hence, the present study has been implemented to "investigate the correlation between restless legs syndrome and sleep disturbance." In this descriptive-analytic study in 2010, 30 patients admitted to critical care units of University of Medical Sciences affiliated hospitals of Urmia city were selected using available-sampling method. Data-collecting instruments were information-included questionnaires on demographic characteristics, screening as well as the intensity of restless legs syndrome, and sleep quality. Data were analyzed by SPSS16 statistical software and descriptive and inferential statistical tests. 36.3% of patients in critical care units showed signs of restless legs syndrome. In groups with and without sleep disturbance, respectively 52.7% and 20% of participants were suffering from restless legs syndrome. The syndrome incidence was 4.45-fold higher in patients with than those without sleep disorder. Findings revealed that developing the mentioned syndrome is far more probable in people with compared to those without sleep disturbance. Given the high prevalence of restless legs syndrome and sleep disorder in critical care units patients, using the screening methods seems to be necessary for disorder identification and lifestyle alteration to reduce the associated risk factors among these patients.