Despite the small sample size, a recently published study found that exergames effectively reduced the severity of restless leg syndrome (RLS) and improved sleep-related problems in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. suggests that it may lead to
A single-blind, randomized, controlled study included 16 MS patients with and without RLS who completed the protocol after 8 weeks of treatment. Exagame participants had improved RLS severity (P. = .004), anxiety (P. = .024), sleep quality (P. = .005), walking (P. = .004), and the balance function (P. = .041), while the severity of RLS increased in controls (P. = .004).
Senior Researcher Serkan Ozakbas, MD, Department of Neurology, Dokuz Eylul University and colleagues used a Microsoft Xbox One and a 50-inch 4K Ultra HD LED TV to conduct video-based exa-gaming physical activity training. Specifically, the patient played his Kinect Sports Rivals game. This is a full-body experience that includes his six games of target shooting, bowling, football, rock climbing, tennis and jet ski racing.
Participants performed six games on different timelines, with the appropriate games selected by a physical therapist. Exegaming training was applied under this specialist’s prescription two days a week for eight weeks, with each session lasting 45 minutes. Treatment arms were evaluated at baseline, week 8 (post-treatment), and week 16 (follow-up). The control group received no specific training and was asked to continue their usual treatment from the first evaluation to the end.
In total, 27 MS patients with RLS (exergaming: n = 11; controls: n = 15) and 27 MS patients without RLS (exergaming: n = 12; controls: n = 15) underwent 8 weeks was included in the post of -Treatment analysis. Neither group had statistically significant differences regarding basic demographic and clinical characteristics. However, there were significant differences between treatment and control groups of MS patients with RLS in baseline assessments of RLS severity, Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI)-daytime dysfunction, and PSQI-total score. bottom (P. <.05).
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Compared to baseline, exagame-exposed individuals had significantly improved RLS severity, sleep quality, walking and balance function, and anxiety levels at week 8 (P. <.05). At follow-up, researchers continued to see sustained improvements in her RLS severity, sleep quality, and walking ability. The severity of RLS, as assessed using the Restless Legs Syndrome Rating Scale (RLSRS), increased significantly after 8 weeks.
Patients with MS without RLS who received exagame showed significant improvement in gait and balance at 8 weeks (P. <.04); however, these improvements were not maintained at the 16-week follow-up assessment (P. >.05). Notably, no significant difference was observed in MS patients without the RLS control group at 8 weeks (P. >.05).
Ozakbas et al. noted that the study had some limitations, such as the inability to reach the targeted sample size due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, research researchers have pointed out potential drawbacks of exagames. Therefore, game selection and session progression depend on the clinical experience of the physiotherapist. Finally, this study did not use objective measures to obtain RLS and physical activity data.
