Effectiveness of a Self‑Stretching Exercise Program on Restless Leg Symptoms in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Pre-Post Intervention Analysis

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) symptoms, characterized by an urge to move the legs, unpleasant sensations, worsening during rest, and predominance at night, are prevalent sleep-disrupting complaints. Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness of a home-based self-stretching exercise program in reducing RLS symptoms among adults with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. Methods: This experimental study recruited two hundred (200) adults aged 40–59 years with a confirmed diagnosis of T2DM (HbA1c >6.5%) via convenience sampling at District Headquarter Hospital, Lodhran, and Bahawal Victoria Hospital, Bahawalpur. Following baseline assessment, participants received standardized instruction and hands-on training in a daily lower-limb self-stretching program to perform at home for four weeks. Restless legs symptoms were quantified using the RLS Diagnostic Index (RLS-DI). Pre–and post-changes in RLS-DI Sum Score and Grand Total Score were examined with paired-samples t-tests; item-level frequency shifts were analyzed via chi-square tests (α=0.05). Results: The mean RLS-DI Sum Score decreased significantly from 7.39 ± 5.60 to –0.79 ± 6.25 (mean paired difference 8.17, 95% CI 7.06–9.28, t=14.56, p