Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 3, 2025

Behavioral Disturbances: An Innovative Approach to Monitor the Modulatory Effects of a Nutraceutical Diet
Published on: January 3, 2017
Comparison the effect of valerian and gabapentin on RLS and sleep quality in hemodialysis patients: A randomized
Iman Hajizadeh1, Mahdieh Jamshidi2, Majid Kazemi3
1Critical Care Nursing Student, Student Research Committee, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran.
Introduction:
This study aimed to compare the effect of valerian and gabapentin on restless legs syndrome (RLS) and sleep quality in HD patients.
Methods:
In this cross over clinical trial study, 40 HD patients allocated into a valerian and gabapentin group. In the first phase of the study, Group A received valerian and Group B received gabapentin 1 h before bedtime for 1 month. In the second phase, the two groups' treatment regimen was swapped. After a 1-month washout period, the same process was repeated on the crossover groups.
Results:
After the first phase, the mean score of RLS was lower in the gabapentin group. But there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of sleep quality score before and after the first and second interventions.
Conclusion:
Gabapentin is more effective than valerian in improving RLS, but both are equally effective in improving sleep quality.
Related Concept Videos
Restless Leg Syndrome and Night Terrors
The exact cause of RLS is not fully understood, but it is believed to involve dopamine, a neurotransmitter that helps regulate muscle movement. Imbalances in dopamine levels...
Peripherally and Centrally Acting Muscle Relaxants: A Comparison
Centrally acting muscle relaxants can be further divided into spasmolytic and antispasmodic drugs. Spasmolytic...
Sedatives and Hypnotics Drugs: Miscellaneous Agents
Melatonin congeners like ramelteon (Rozerem) and tasimelteon (Hetlioz) selectively bind to melatonin receptors (MT1 and MT2) and thus mimic the actions of melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep-wake cycles. Tasimelteon is primarily used for non-24-hour sleep-wake disorder, common in blind patients. They are also used to treat conditions like insomnia...
Antiepileptic Drugs: Potassium Channel Activators
Ezogabine has gained approval as an adjunctive treatment...
Skeletal Muscle Relaxants: Adverse Effects
Unlike...
REM Sleep Behavior Disorder
RBD is significantly associated with...

