Everyday life experiences of family members of individuals with restless legs syndrome: a qualitative interview study

Background: Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a long-term sensory-motor illness impacting individuals and their family members, yet little is known about the family members’ everyday experiences. Aim: To explore and describe the everyday life experiences of family members of individuals with RLS. Methods: An inductive, qualitative exploratory design was used. Telephone interviews were conducted with 25 family members (e.g. partner, child) and analysed using qualitative content analysis. Results: Family members described adjusting their routines and social activities to accommodate the individual with RLS, often balancing these changes with their own needs. This adaptation affected their everyday lives, as conflicting desires required balancing personal needs with sleep disruptions, resulting in tiredness. Despite these challenges, they employed strategies such as shared activities and self-care to manage the impact on the individuals with RLS. Conclusions and contribution to nursing: This study highlights the importance of family involvement in RLS care and the need for a family nursing approach in guidelines. Healthcare professionals could invite both family members and individuals with RLS in shared decision-making. Policies and practices could provide resources to support flexible coping strategies and reduce isolation. Future research could explore social support to better understand family members’ experiences.