Altered Sensory Processing in Restless Legs Syndrome: Associations With Disease Severity

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is increasingly recognized as a complex sensory-motor disorder. While its motor symptoms are well-characterized, the broader sensory processing patterns and their clinical implications remain under-explored. This study aimed to evaluate altered sensory processing in RLS patients and investigate its relationship with disease severity and duration.

This cross-sectional study included 81 RLS patients diagnosed according to IRLSSG criteria. Diagnostic accuracy was verified through clinical records, laboratory data, and prior electromyography reports. Sensory processing was assessed using the Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile (AASP), and RLS severity was measured with the International Restless Legs Syndrome Rating Scale (IRLS).

RLS patients exhibited a distinct sensory processing profile characterized by significantly higher scores in sensory sensitivity, sensory avoidance, and low registration, and lower scores in sensory seeking compared to normative data. Sensory avoidance was significantly associated with both disease severity (r = 0.22) and disease duration (r = 0.23). Females showed higher low registration scores.

The findings suggest that altered sensory processing is a fundamental aspect of the RLS clinical phenotype. The correlation between sensory avoidance and disease severity indicates that a sensory-based perspective may provide valuable clinical insights. Recognizing RLS as a multifaceted sensory-motor syndrome may guide clinicians toward more comprehensive evaluation and personalized management strategies.