The effect of progressive muscle relaxation on reducing restless legs syndrome among patients undergoing hemodialysis in a satellite/hospital unit in Indonesia

Abstract

Introduction: Muscle relaxation is considered as an alternative therapy for restless legs syndrome (RLS). Objective: To determine the effect of progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) on restless legs syndrome in patients undergoing hemodialysis. Methodology: This study was conducted using the quasiexperimental design in the unit hemodialysis. The sample recruited was 12 respondents in both intervention and control group using convenience sampling. The research instrument used the International RLS Study Group Scale. Results: The average score of RLS before and after PMR in the intervention group was 22.92 and 17.42, respectively. In the control group, the mean score of RLS before and after intervention was 24.33 and 23.50, respectively. PMR was effective to improve RLS (p<0.005). Conclusion: PMR could be an alternative to reduce RLS in patients undergoing hemodialysis. Future studies are needed to clarify the findings using more robust methods and large sample size.