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Impact of aerobic physical exercise on Restless Legs Syndrome

2011; Brazilian Association of Sleep and Latin American Federation of Sleep Societies; Volume: 4; Issue: 2 Linguagem: Inglês

1984-0659

Andrea Maculano Esteves, Marco Túlio de Mello, Ana Amélia Benedito‐Silva, Sérgio Tufik,

Parkinson's Disease Mechanisms and Treatments

Study carried out at Centro de Estudos em Psicobiologia e Exercicio da Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo (UNIFESP), Sao Paulo (SP), Brazil. 1 Departamento de Psicobiologia da Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo (UNIFESP), Sao Paulo (SP), Brazil. 2 Centro de Estudos em Psicobiologia e Exercicio da Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo (UNIFESP), Sao Paulo (SP), Brazil. 3 Escola de Artes, Ciencias e Humanidades da Universidade de Sao Paulo (USP), Sao Paulo (SP), Brazil. Corresponding author: Andrea Maculano Esteves � Departamento de Psicobiologia da Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo � Rua Professor Francisco de Castro, 93 � Vila Clementino � CEP 04020-0�0 � Sao Paulo (SP), Brazil � E-mail: maculano@cepebr.org Received: February 16, 2011 � Accepted: June 27, 2011 ABSTRACT Objective: Therapeutic approaches to the Restless Legs Syndrome and Periodic Limb Movement sleep disorders are often implemented concomitantly. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of aerobic physical exercise on the symptoms of Restless Legs Syndrome. Methods: The study included 11 patients who were diagnosed with RLS and with on the severity scale established by the International Restless Legs Syndrome Scale (IRLSS), which was translated and validated into Brazilian Portuguese. The patients completed 72 sessions of aerobic exercises prescribed at Anaerobic Ventilatory Threshold Intensity on an ergometric cycle. Patients performed 3 �0-minute sessions per week for approximately 6 months. Each patient completed a severity scale questionnaire of Restless Legs Syndrome prior to the first training session and after sessions 1, 36 and 72. Results: In response to aerobic physical exercise, the patients demonstrated a significant reduction in symptoms of Restless Legs Syndrome after 36 sessions (score: 24 to 1�). This reduction was maintained even after 72 sessions (score: 7) of aerobic exercises (p<0.001). Conclusions: The aerobic exercise proved to be efficient in diminishing Restless Legs Syndrome symptoms.