The effect of vibration on the severity of restless legs syndrome in hemodialysis patients

Acupressure reduces the severity of restless legs syndrome in hemodialysis patients: A cluster-randomized crossover pilot study

Background

Restless legs syndrome (RLS), a neurological disorder, often affects sleep quality in hemodialysis patients. This study aimed to evaluate acupressure's effect on the severity of RLS symptoms and sleep quality in hemodialysis patients with RLS.

Methods

This study is a cluster-randomized crossover pilot study. Patients were randomized to two sequences: acupressure for one month and observation for another month (AC); and observation for one month and acupressure for another month (CA). For the four-week acupressure intervention, patients received 36 min of acupressure three times weekly during their hemodialysis sessions. The acupoints were on the bilateral lower limbs, including Zusanli (ST36), Yanglingquan (GB34), Sanyinjiao (SP6), Xuanzhong (GB39), Chengshan (BL57), and Taichong (LR3). RLS severity and sleep quality (measured with the Pittsburgh sleep quality index, PSQI) were measured at baseline, month 1, and month 2.

Results

AC sequence (n = 14) was similar to the CA sequence (n = 9) in terms of gender, age, education, employment, marital status, comorbid disease, BMI, duration of dialysis, medication for RLS and insomnia, RLS severity, and PSQI. The general linear mixed model revealed no significant carryover effect on RLS severity, PSQI, and the seven subscales of PSQI. A significant treatment effect (acupressure) was only observed in RLS severity (p = 0.0013) but not in PSQI and the seven subscales. The significant period effect was observed in RLS severity (p = 0.0250) and the subscale of sleep disturbance (p = 0.0021).

Conclusion

In hemodialysis patients with RLS, acupressure can alleviate the severity of RLS but cannot improve sleep quality.

Dialysis Patients With Restless Leg Syndrome: Can We Relieve Their Suffering?

Restless leg syndrome (RLS), also called Willis Ekbom disease, can be described as an unpleasant feeling that intensely urges the patients to move their lower limbs. RLS is classified into primary and secondary. It is one of the common complications in hemodialysis patients, and it impairs patients’ quality of life. Unfortunately, it is an underdiagnosed and undertreated disorder. In this review article, we performed a literature search using the PubMed database to compare different treatment modalities for RLS in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) on regular hemodialysis. Many of the non-pharmacologic modalities of treatment are cost-effective and safer than pharmacologic therapy. Given the small sample size of the studies and short follow up duration, we should consider conducting studies on a larger number of patients and for longer periods of time to assess the efficacy and safety of different treatment patterns for RLS in hemodialysis patients. We hope to raise awareness about this neurologic condition in hemodialysis patients.

Efficacy of Topical Applications on Reducing Uremic Pruritus: A Systematic Review

Introduction: Uremic pruritus is an unpleasant sensation that has been recognized as a frequent complication in patients with chronic kidney disease. This study was undertaken to determine the effect of topical applications for reducing pruritus.Methods: A systematic review was conducted by searching Science Direct, Scopus and Google Scholar to create an integrative 12 articles review focusing on a 10 year period from 2009 to 2018. The language used was English and the studies focused on pruritus, itching, hydration, chronic kidney disease and where the patient did not undergo a kidney transplant. The articles in this systematic review were experimental studies (pre-experimental, true experimental and quasi-experimental).Results: Most of the findings of the studies showed that a topical application for reducing uremic pruritus (clove oil, almond oil, cromolyn sodium 4%, baby oil, sweet almond oil, vinegar and avenasativa, glycerol and paraffin, sericin cream and chia seed oil) can be used as an adjuvant moisturizing agents for pruritis.Conclusion: Topical applications have a positive effect on itching and decreased pruritus. Topical applications are simple, safe, inexpensive and easily applied, so it can be used on many people.