Effect of Aerobic Combined Resistance Exercise in Dialysis on Restless Legs Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Study

To analyze the effects of aerobic combined resistance exercise in dialysis on restless legs syndrome (RLS), sleep quality, anxiety, depression, and quality of life of maintenance dialysis patients.

59 patients who underwent maintenance hemodialysis combined with RLS in the blood purification center of Taihe County People's Hospital of Anhui Province from September to December 2024 were selected as the study subjects. The study subjects were divided into 30 cases of the control group and 29 cases of the intervention group using a randomized numerical table. The control group received routine dialysis and health education. In contrast, the intervention group received aerobic combined resistance exercise in dialysis, similar to the control group, with the time controlled at about 40 min, three times a week for 12 weeks. We observed the severity of RLS (IRLS), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), self-rating anxiety scale (SAS), self-rating depression scale (SDS), and quality of life (the Kidney Disease Questionnaire, KDQ) in the two groups before and after 12 weeks of intervention.

There was no statistical difference in IRLS, PSQI, SAS, SDS, and KDQ scores between the two groups before the intervention (p > 0.05). After 12 weeks of intervention, IRLS, SAS, and SDS scores of the intervention group were lower than those of the control group (p < 0.05). Notably, the intervention group showed significantly improved PSQI scores (p < 0.05). The KDQ scores were higher than those of the control group, and the differences were all statistically significant (p < 0.05).

Aerobic combined resistance exercise in dialysis can improve the symptoms of RLS in maintenance hemodialysis patients, enhance sleep quality, reduce negative emotions such as anxiety and depression, and improve quality of life.