The experience of living with restless legs syndrome

Restless legs syndrome is a sensorimotor disorder that significantly affects quality of life. This study explored the experience of people living with restless legs syndrome. Focus groups were analysed thematically resulting in five themes. Participants described disempowerment in managing symptoms, difficulty coping and poor understanding of the condition. Participants tried many therapies with little relief and were unable to monitor treatment effects. Concerns with healthcare services were common. Feeling understood provided validation and empowerment. Healthcare providers can help people with restless legs syndrome by improving restless legs syndrome awareness, providing psychosocial support and education, and assisting people to monitor treatment effects

Coping (psychology · Empowerment · Feeling · Focus group · Health care · Insomnia · Patient Empowerment · Psychiatry · Psychosocial · Psychotherapist · Qualitative research · Quality of life (healthcare · Restless legs syndrome · Medicine · Psychology · Restless Legs Syndrome Research · Sleep and related disorders · Sleep and Wakefulness Research · Clinical Psychology · Social Psychology

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  Open Access•Elzana Odzakovic, Anna Eliasson et al.•Journal of Health Psychology•2025

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• Naturalistic inquiry

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• Restless legs syndrome

  Open Access•Maria José V Varela, João Eduardo Coin De Carvalho et al.•Journal of Health Psychology•2013

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