Back to Sleep
Sleep

Restless LegsEvidence & Dosage

Iron, the dopamine hypothesis, lifestyle factors.

Studies last updated

Evidence at a glance

Total studies
1,000
With abstract
50
Meta / Systematic / RCT
152
Highly cited
50
Publication years
1989–2026

Restless Legs in the context of Sleep

This topic is part of our "Sleep" world. There you'll find methodology, evidence and the highest-impact levers — plus the order in which they sensibly build on each other.

Go to Sleep

Top studies on Restless Legs

Ranked by influential-citation count and publication year.

  1. Sleep disturbances during pregnancy and adverse maternal and fetal outcomes: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

    Sleep Med Rev2021n=58,123,250meta200 influential citations

    Sleep disturbances are highly prevalent in pregnancy and are frequently overlooked as a potential cause of significant morbidity. The association between sleep disturbances and pregnancy outcomes remains largely controversial and needs to…

  2. Worldwide estimation of restless legs syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis of prevalence in the general adult population.

    J Sleep Res2023Meta-Analysis148 influential citations

    Summary This systematic review, meta‐analysis and meta‐regression assessed the prevalence of restless legs syndrome (RLS) in the general adult population. Studies identified in Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, and PsycInfo between January…

  3. Restless legs syndrome associated with major diseases: A systematic review and new concept.

    Neurology2016Systematic Review139 influential citations

    Recent publications on both the genetics and environmental factors of restless legs syndrome (RLS) defined as a clinical disorder suggest that overlapping genetic risk factors may play a role in primary (idiopathic) and secondary…

  4. Sleep disturbances and sleep disorders in adults living with chronic pain: a meta-analysis.

    Sleep Med2018n=37Meta-Analysis129 influential citations

    <h4>Objectives</h4>Chronic pain, with or without an identified diagnosis or cause, is widespread and commonly associated with sleep disturbances. However, research has often used poor quality measures of sleep and focused on specific pain…

  5. Sleep disorders and non-sleep circadian disorders predict depression: A systematic review and meta-analysis of longitudinal studies.

    Neurosci Biobehav Rev2022Meta-Analysis123 influential citations

    Patients with depression often suffer from sleep disorders and non-sleep circadian disorders. However, whether they precede and predict subsequent depression is unclear. We conducted a meta-analysis of studies on sleep disorders and…

  6. Genome-wide meta-analyses of restless legs syndrome yield insights into genetic architecture, disease biology and risk prediction.

    Nat Genet2024n=116,647Meta-Analysis123 influential citations

    Restless legs syndrome (RLS) affects up to 10% of older adults. Their healthcare is impeded by delayed diagnosis and insufficient treatment. To advance disease prediction and find new entry points for therapy, we performed meta-analyses of…

  7. A systematic review of the literature on disorders of sleep and wakefulness in Parkinson's disease from 2005 to 2015.

    Sleep Med Rev2017Systematic Review122 influential citations

    Sleep disorders are among the most common non-motor manifestations in Parkinson's disease (PD) and have a significant negative impact on quality of life. While sleep disorders in PD share most characteristics with those that occur in the…

  8. Sleep Disorders in Cancer-A Systematic Review.

    Int J Environ Res Public Health2021n=89systematic100 influential citations

    INTRODUCTION: Sleep disorders, especially insomnia, are very common in different kinds of cancers, but their prevalence and incidence are not well-known. Disturbed sleep in cancer is caused by different reasons and usually appears as a…

  9. Sleep disorders increase the risk of dementia, Alzheimer's disease, and cognitive decline: a meta-analysis.

    Geroscience2025n=39Meta-Analysis93 influential citations

    Sleep disorders, particularly insomnia and obstructive sleep apnea, are increasingly implicated as significant contributors to cognitive decline, dementia, and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) and vascular…

  10. Genome-wide association analysis of self-reported daytime sleepiness identifies 42 loci that suggest biological subtypes.

    Nat Commun2019n=452,071Meta-Analysis89 influential citations

    Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) affects 10–20% of the population and is associated with substantial functional deficits. Here, we identify 42 loci for self-reported daytime sleepiness in GWAS of 452,071 individuals from the UK Biobank,…

Frequently asked

Are there safety considerations for Restless Legs?
• Pharmacologic sleep treatments may cause headaches, dizziness, fatigue, daytime sleepiness, and residual sedation. • Cancer patients may be especially susceptible to sedative adverse effects. • The review highlights need for careful treatment selection in comorbid cancer and sleep disorders.

More topics in Sleep

Glycine

Glycine, sleep quality, body temperature and safety.

Alcohol & Sleep

Faster sleep onset, but REM suppression and night-time waking.

Antihistamines

Diphenhydramine, doxylamine — sleep fragmentation, anticholinergic dementia risks.

Apigenin

Chamomile, GABA modulation, and sleep quality.

Apigenin (Sleep)

A flavonoid from chamomile, GABA modulation, sleep quality.

Ashwagandha (Sleep)

Cortisol lowering, sleep quality — KSM-66 and Sensoril extracts.

Bedroom Darkness

Blackout curtains, sleep mask — melatonin and sleep depth.

Bedroom Temperature

Optimal 17–19°C — a falling core body temperature promotes sleep.

Benzodiazepines

Sedative/hypnotic — dependence, cognitive risks in older age.

Blue Light Filter

f.lux, Night Shift, glasses — the evidence and the marketing hype.

Bruxism

Teeth grinding — stress, night guard, trigger factors.

Caffeine Timing

Half-life ~5–6h — cut off 8–10h before sleep.

CBD for Sleep

Endocannabinoid system, REM effects, and dosage spectrum.

CBT-I

Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia — first-line therapy per the guidelines.

Circadian Rhythm

The internal ~24h clock — light as the main signal, peripheral clocks in the organs.

CPAP

Continuous positive airway pressure — the standard for moderate apnea.

Deep Sleep

N3 slow-wave sleep — physical recovery, GH release.

GABA Supplements

Blood-brain barrier, fermented GABA, and efficacy data.

Glycine for Sleep

Deep sleep, lowering body temperature, and 3 g in the evening.

Glycine (Sleep)

3g before bed — lowers core body temperature, modulates deep sleep.

Related topics from other worlds