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Effects of Depression on Sleep Quality, Fatigue, and Sleepiness in Persons With Restless Legs Syndrome

University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, Philadelphia, PA; ncuellar{at}nursing.upenn.edu;ngcrn@verizon.net

Sarah J. Ratcliffe

Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA

Darleen Chien

University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, Philadelphia, PA

BACKGROUND: Restless legs syndrome is a sleep disorder that is associated with depression and poor sleep quality; it possibly affects sleepiness and fatigue, thereby affecting quality of life. OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of depression on sleep quality, sleepiness, and fatigue in persons with restless legs syndrome. STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive, comparative study. Data was collected on demographics, depression, sleep quality, sleepiness, and fatigue. Participants were grouped based on depression scores. RESULTS: 40% of the sample reported depressive symptomology. Depressed participants had significantly worse sleep quality (t=4.12, df=40, p<.001) and fatigue (t=3.69, df=46, p=.001). Depression did not affect sleepiness (p=.733). CONCLUSIONS: Persons with restless legs syndrome who are depressed have poorer sleep quality and higher fatigue than nondepressed persons with restless legs syndrome. Few participants are being treated for depression. Health care providers must recognize the impact that depression has on persons with restless legs syndrome and develop innovative nonpharmacological strategies to help with depression.

Key Words: restless legs syndrome • depression • sleep • fatigue • sleepiness

Journal of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association, Vol. 12, No. 5, 262-271 (2006)
DOI: 10.1177/1078390306295070


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