Background:
Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) is a neurological disorder characterized by discomfort in the legs while resting and an uncontrollable urge to move the legs to relieve the discomfort. RLS more typically occurs in older adults. RLS commonly follows a circadian rhythm, worsening in the evening and at night, delaying sleep onset. Thus, while older adults without RLS typically fall asleep and wake up earlier than younger adults, those with RLS often fall asleep later and have their best sleep in the early morning. This distinct pattern of sleep has been anecdotally noted by Dr. John Winkelman, MD, PhD.
We aim to compare sleep patterns of RLS and non-RLS patients, as measured by hour-by-hour actigraphic data. If a unique pattern of sleep is identified, distinguishing RLS patients from non-RLS patients, it can be used as a tool to aid in the diagnosis of Restless Legs Syndrome.
Research Question:
How do the sleep patterns of patients with Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) differ from those without the condition, based on actigraphic measurements?
Objectives:
– Compare actigraphic data of sleep patterns in RLS patients and non-RLS controls.
– Investigate if RLS patients exhibit a distinct sleep pattern, particularly in the early hours of the night and morning.
Scientific Rationale:
Although the pattern of sleep disturbance in RLS has been noted anecdotally, there has been little systematic investigation into these circadian trends, especially using objective, quantifiable measures like actigraphy. This project aims to fill this gap by using actigraphy to compare the sleep patterns of RLS patients versus non-RLS controls, offering insight into the possible use of sleep disturbances as a diagnostic feature for RLS.