Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, Ar. C., Islamic Azad University, Arak, Iran , shadi.moghadam@iau.ac.ir
Abstract: (608 Views)
Background and Aim: Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a common sensorimotor neurological disorder characterized by an unpleasant sensation in the lower limbs, particularly during the early stages of sleep. This condition may be associated with significant psychological consequences. The present study aimed to determine the prevalence of RLS and its association with repetitive negative thinking among medical sciences students. Methods: This descriptive-correlational study was conducted on a convenience sample of 272 students from the Faculty of Medical Sciences at Islamic Azad University, Arak, during the 2024–2025 academic year. Data were collected using the Restless Legs Syndrome Questionnaire and the Repetitive Negative Thinking Questionnaire. The data were analyzed using one-sample t-test and Pearson correlation coefficient in SPSS version 29. Results: The findings showed that 2.6% of students had severe symptoms, 30.1% had mild symptoms, and 67.3% were asymptomatic for RLS. In addition, 73.5% of participants reported a moderate level and 10.7% a high level of repetitive negative thinking. A significant positive correlation was observed between the severity of RLS and repetitive negative thinking (r = 0.361, P < 0.001). Conclusion: The results indicate that restless legs syndrome has a notable prevalence among medical sciences students and that repetitive negative thinking is significantly associated with its severity. These findings underscore the importance of considering psychological factors in the prevention and management of RLS.
Dalaee Z, Moghadam S, Vismeh F, Bahrami V, Khadem M, Heydari A M. Prevalence of Restless Legs Syndrome and Its Association with Repetitive Negative Thinking Among Medical Sciences Students at Islamic Azad University of Arak (Academic Year 2024–2025). Feyz Med Sci J 2026; 30 (1) :102-111 URL: http://feyz.kaums.ac.ir/article-1-5411-en.html