Efficacy of Vibration Therapy on Restless Legs Syndrome and Sleep Disturbances Among Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis

Background Most hemodialysis patients are faced with a variety of complications such as restless leg syndrome and sleep disorders during the course of their disease. Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is one of the most prevalent problems in patients receiving hemodialysis. Studies indicate that the prevalence of this sensorimotor neurological disorder in hemodialysis patients ranges from (6.6%) to (80%), contrasted to (7%) to (24.1%) in the general population. RLS adversely affects outcomes of patients with chronic renal failure receiving long-term hemodialysis, with significant impacts on sleep quality and quality of life, as well as increased mortality after 2.5 years of follow-up.

In terms of sleep, the quality of sleep in hemodialysis patients is often affected by restless legs syndrome. The individual feels very disturbing, deep creeping sensations inside the leg whenever sitting or lying down. These abnormal sensations cause insomnia, daytime sleepiness, shorter sleep duration, and the use of sedatives and hypnotics. Sleep disturbances and deprivation of sleep induced by RLS can impact the sleep quality and emotional well-being of patients undergoing hemodialysis, potentially resulting in depression, anxiety, and increment risk of cardiovascular issues.

Dialysis nurses should manage hemodialysis problems using efficient nonpharmacological techniques. As previously said, RLS significantly effects on both the physical and mental soundness of patients, in addition to disrupting their daily lives. Furthermore, many of the medications used to treat these individuals are mostly eliminated by the kidneys, producing further complications for the patients. These matters underscore the need of employing non-pharmacological approaches to treat restless legs syndrome and sleep disorders.

Importance of study There are approximately 3,730,000 patients with Chronic kidney Disease (CKD) globally, and the annual growth rate of the disease is 5-6%. According to data, more than 2.5 million patients with end-stage kidney disease are currently undergoing renal replacement therapy (RRT), and this figure is expected to rise to around 4.5 million by 2030. For patients with CKD, the most prevalent technique of RRT is hemodialysis.

Patients with kidney failure receiving continuous hemodialysis experience a variety of symptoms, including restless leg syndrome (RLS) and sleep disturbances. RLS is a clinical disorder with a prevalence ranging from 6.6% to 83% among patients receiving hemodialysis. It is characterized by a strong desire to move the legs, and this desire usually take place in the afternoon and evening. The moving desire is accompanied by uncomfortable and frequently painful feelings in the legs. The legs movement can help reduce painful and uncomfortable legs feelings. Above 90% of individuals with RLS have periodic leg movements (PLM) during sleeping. The periodic leg movements (PLMs) are sporadic and cause involuntary foot dorsiflexion, knee flexion, and sometimes thigh flexion, occurring every 20 to 40 seconds. The uncomfortable nighttime sensibility and need to move the legs generate intermittent movements of leg during sleep, which lateness and disrupt sleep, resulting in repeated awakenings, and promoting daytime drowsiness, all of which reduce the quality of life for patients.