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Restless Legs Syndrome (Willis-Ekbom Disease) and Periodic Limb Movements of Sleep: Physiotherapeutic Approach

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Sleep Medicine and Physical Therapy

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Abstract

For restless legs syndrome (RLS) and/or periodic limb movement disorder of sleep (PLMS) alone, there is no established consensus of physical therapy practice. Indeed, there are a few investigations on intermittent pneumatic compression, infrared light, acupuncture, electrical stimulation, yoga, whole-body vibration, manual therapies, and kinesiotherapy and physical exercise as adjunctive treatments. There are some investigations on the effect of exercise on PLMS isolated and co-occurring with RLS. Here we present the results of two recent systematic reviews, a scoping review and guidelines and consensus on the non-pharmacological treatment of RLS and PLMS that can be incorporated into physica therapy practice.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    The enhanced external counterpulsation treatment compresses the blood vessels in the lower limbs to increase blood flow to the heart. This happens via cuffs attached to air hoses that connect to valves that inflate and deflate the cuffs in accordance to heart beats. This treatment is used in the treatment of patients with angina.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Sleep Institute, Associação Fundo Incentivo à Pesquisa; Certified in Sleep Physiotherapy by the Brazilian Sleep Society (ABS), and The Brazilian Association of Cardiorespiratory Physiotherapy and Physiotherapy in Intensive Care (ASSOBRAFIR), São Paulo, SP, Brazil

    Simone Barreto dos Santos

  2. Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil

    Cristina Frange

  3. Certified in Sleep Physiotherapy by the Brazilian Sleep Society (ABS), and The Brazilian Association of Cardiorespiratory Physiotherapy and Physiotherapy in Intensive Care (ASSOBRAFIR), São Paulo, SP, Brazil

    Cristina Frange

  4. World Physiotherapy Network for Health Promotion in Life and Work, São Paulo, SP, Brazil

    Cristina Frange

Authors
  1. Simone Barreto dos Santos
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  2. Cristina Frange
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Neurology and Neurosurgery Department, Escola Paulista de Medicina Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil

    Cristina Frange

  2. Neurology and Neurosurgery Department, Escola Paulista de Medicina Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil

    Fernando Morgadinho Santos Coelho

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dos Santos, S.B., Frange, C. (2022). Restless Legs Syndrome (Willis-Ekbom Disease) and Periodic Limb Movements of Sleep: Physiotherapeutic Approach. In: Frange, C., Coelho, F.M.S. (eds) Sleep Medicine and Physical Therapy. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-85074-6_9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-85074-6_9

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-85073-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-85074-6

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