Experiences of sleep problems, subsequent daytime consequences, and self-care activities used to improve sleep among patients with restless legs syndrome: a qualitative content analysis.

Background: Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a prevalent neurological condition affecting daily life. Symptoms can vary and worsen during the evening and night, with sleep problems as a common consequence. Few, if any, qualitative studies have explored how patients with RLS experience their sleep problems. Aim: The aim was to explore and describe how patients with RLS experience their sleep problems, the subsequent daytime consequences, and self-care activities used to improve sleep. Methods: An inductive, descriptive, qualitative design was used, including semi-structured interviews with 28 strategically selected patients from a national RLS organisation. Data were analysed with manifest qualitative content analysis and reported according to the COREQ checklist. Results: RLS-related ailments affecting sleep were: noticing initial symptoms in the evening, enduring stressful RLS symptoms at night, and being concerned about not having symptom-relieving treatment. Struggles with daytime consequences of poor sleep were: feeling excessive fatigue and managing social interactions. Self-care actions to improve sleep included trust in daily routines, benefiting from the use of various distractions, and actively seeking effective medical treatment. Conclusions and contribution to nursing: Knowledge about various RLS-related ailments affecting sleep can be used by nurses to provide adequate education about the disease and potential nursing interventions to improve sleep.