The Effect of Superficial Heat-Cold Application on the Sleep Quality of Patients With Restless Leg Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Mohammad Mehdi Mohammadi, Maryam Ahmadi, Ali Akbar Vaisi Raygani
PMID 39527020WHAT IT FOUND
Applying superficial heat or cold improves sleep quality in patients with restless legs syndrome.
The effect is strongest in younger adults and pregnant women. Optimal results occur with shorter sessions of ten minutes and a temperature of roughly 42.5 degrees Celsius.
Key findings
01Superficial heat-cold application significantly improved sleep quality in patients with restless legs syndrome.
02The intervention was most effective when applied at a temperature of 42.5°C.
03Effectiveness decreased as the duration of each session increased, with the greatest benefit seen in 10-minute sessions.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
The review included only seven studies with a total of 259 participants, which is a small number of studies for a meta-analysis. The included studies showed significant heterogeneity, meaning the results varied considerably between them. Most of the included studies were quasi-experimental rather than randomized controlled trials, which lowers the strength of the evidence. The authors noted challenges with the quality of the available literature and acknowledged the need for more well-designed original studies.
Declared interests
The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume this intervention works equally well for all patients. The review found that effectiveness decreases with age, so older patients may not see the same sleep improvements as younger adults or pregnant women.