A study to evaluate the effectiveness of stretching exercises on restless legs syndrome and fatigue among patients with chronic renal failure in selected hospitals at Erode

Chronic kidney disease involves progressive, irreversible loss of kidney function. The kidneys have remarkable functional reserve up to 80% of the glomerular filtration rate may be last with few obvious changes in the functioning of the body. The two main causes of chronic kidney disease are diabetes mellitus and high blood pressure which are responsible for up to two-third of the cases. Diabetes Mellitus happens when blood sugar is too high, causing damage to many organs in the body, including the kidneys. It can contribute to RLS (restless legs syndrome), it is the uncomfortable sensation and sometimes intense feeling in the leg muscles, because of this patients are more likely to have problems in carrying out their daily activities. Stretching exercises helps to reduce the severity of restless legs syndrome as well as fatigue. The present study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of stretching exercises on restless legs syndrome and fatigue among patients with chronic renal failure in selected hospitals at Erode. An evaluative approach was used for this study. The design used for the study was Quasi experimental non equivalent control group pre test and post test design. The conceptual frame work was based on modified Wiedenbach’s helping art of clinical nursing theory (1964). Sample size was 60 out of which 30 were in experimental group and 30 were in control group. The samples were selected by non-probability purposive sampling technique. The data collection period was 6 weeks. Data pertaining to the demographic variables was collected by interview then pre test was conducted to the participants by using International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group Rating Scale and fatigue assessment scale by structured interview schedule for both groups. From first day onwards stretching exercise intervention was given to the experimental group individually for 30 minutes, one hour before and one hour after hemodialysis continued for 15 days. On the 15th day post test was conducted for the experimental and control group by using the same scales. The data gathered were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The Independent ‘t’ value of restless legs syndrome was 23.8 which was significant at P < 0.05 level. This showed that there is a significant reduction in the level of restless legs syndrome between experimental group and control group. The Independent ‘t’ value for fatigue was 20.4 which was significant at P < 0.05 level. This showed that there is a significant reduction in the level of fatigue between experimental group and control group. The study findings revealed that there was no association between the level of restless legs syndrome among patients with chronic renal failure and their demographic variables in experimental group except for education (χ²=11.43) in experimental group at P < 0.05 level of significance and there was no significant association between the level of fatigue among patients with chronic renal failure and their demographic variables in experimental group except for education (χ²= 9.281), duration of hemodialysis treatment (χ²= 11.62) in experimental group at P < 0.05 level of significance. The results of the study concluded that stretching exercises are effective in reducing restless legs syndrome and fatigue among patients with chronic renal failure