Comparative Effects of Aerobic and Muscle Relaxation Exercises in Pregnant Women With Restless Leg Syndrome

Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) is a neurological disorder that often worsens during pregnancy, particularly in the second and third trimesters. It is characterized by an uncontrollable urge to move the legs, often accompanied by discomfort or pain, and is known to disrupt sleep, increase fatigue, and negatively affect the quality of life. Pharmacological treatments for RLS during pregnancy are limited due to safety concerns, creating a need for effective, non-drug interventions. Aerobic exercise and progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) are two physiotherapeutic approaches that have shown promise in improving sleep quality and reducing discomfort in various populations, but limited evidence exists regarding their impact on pregnant women with RLS. This study will be a randomized controlled trial and will be conducted in the Gynecology and Physiotherapy departments of Valencia Health Clinic, Lahore. Non-probability purposive sampling will be used to collect data. A total of 40 pregnant women aged between 20-35 years, in their 2nd or 3rd trimester and clinically diagnosed with RLS, will be included after fulfilling inclusion and exclusion criteria and giving informed consent. Subjects will be randomly divided into two groups using a random number generator table. Group A will receive supervised aerobic exercises (brisk walking, cycling, step-ups, etc.) 3 times a week for 8 weeks. Group B will undergo progressive muscle relaxation sessions of 20- 25 minutes, also 3 times a week for 8-weeks. Both groups will be assessed at baseline and after the 8-week intervention. Outcome measures will be evaluated using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) for sleep, Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for pain, and WHOQOL-BREF for quality of life. Data analysis will be performed using SPSS version 26.

Inclusion criteria

• Pregnant women diagnosed with Restless Leg Syndrome based on clinical criteria.

• Gestational age between 20 to 34 weeks.
• Age range between 20-40 years.
• Experiencing moderate to severe sleep disturbance as per Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI score >5).
• Complaints of fatigue and generalized discomfort during pregnancy.

Exclusion criteria

• High-risk pregnancy or obstetric complications (e.g., preeclampsia, placenta previa).

• History of neurological or musculoskeletal disorders unrelated to pregnancy.
• Any psychiatric disorder or currently taking sedative medications.
• History of uncontrolled diabetes mellitus or thyroid dysfunction.
• Participation in any structured exercise program or physiotherapy within the last 3 months.