Joannes M Hallegraeff
Hanze University Groningen, Netherlands
Title: Nocturnal leg cramps: Diagnosing, therapy and associations with other sleep related movement disorders
Biography
Biography: Joannes M Hallegraeff
Abstract
Background: Nocturnal leg cramps (NLC) is a high prevalent painful musculoskeletal disorder characterized by suddenlyrnoccurring, episodic, painful, sustained, and involuntary contractions of calf, hamstrings or foot muscles during the night.rnSleeping disturbances and distress may be common in patients with NLC and may seriously aff ect quality of life. Clinicians inrndaily practice do not commonly identify clinical characteristics of this sleep related motor disorder, because other sleep or restrnrelated motor disorders are not ruled out. Cause and aetiology of NLC is not fully known and diagnosing is oft en confused withrnother sleep related motor disorders such as restless legs syndrome and periodic limb movement disorder. Besides, inconsistentrnevidence exists about therapy of NLC. Two research questions must be answered:rnTo identify all evidence based valid criteria with respect to diagnosing nocturnal leg cramps and which conditions must bernrule out. Can a pre-sleep stretching regimen be eff ective in preventing nocturnal leg cramps and decrease frequency and severityrnof cramps?rnMethods: A comprehensive systematic literature search has been executed 1990 up till now.rnIn a six-week period, the experimental group performed a nightly pre-sleep stretching regimen of the calf and hamstringsrnmuscles immediately before going to sleep.rnResults: Th e included and reviewed studies revealed a total of ten diagnostic criteria.rnAt six weeks frequency and severity of nocturnal leg cramps decreased both signifi cantly in the experimental group.rnConclusion: Th ere is evidence for clinical diagnosing of nocturnal leg cramps and nightly stretching before going to sleep isrneff ective on frequency and severity of NLC.