Effect of Self stretching before sleep on nocturnal leg cramp, pain & sleep quality among older adults – A Quasi Experimental Study

BACKGROUND: Many older adults have leg cramps problems during night sleep which causes disturbance of sleep pattern and it also affects their quality of sleep. METHODOLOGY: In 6 week interventional study 47 older adults were selected according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria by convenient sampling technique. Pre-treatment evaluation of Numerical pain rating scale (NPRS) and Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) was done before initiating the treatment. Self Stretching exercises of hamstrings and calf combine with Heel raise given to prticipants. Post intervention evaluation was done. Statistical analysis was carried out using paired t test. RESULTS: On intragroup comparison using paired t test, there was extremely significant difference between pre-post comparison of NPRS(<0.0001) and PSQI (<0.0001) in older adults. CONCLUSION: Self stretching exercises before sleep is effective on nocturnal leg cramps pain and sleep quality among older adults.