RLS Foundation Forges Relationship with UT School of Nursing

On May 17, Executive Director Karla Dzienkowski, RN, BSN, spoke at The University of Texas at Austin's School of Nursing, her own alumni. The school was recently awarded a grant by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to study restless legs syndrome as a potential cause of restlessness in Alzheimer's patients. Karla congratulated Dr. Kathy Richards and her team on the award, and extended a hand on behalf of the RLS Foundation to support the research endeavor.

“Speaking to the research team was an incredible opportunity to enhance the RLS Foundation’s mission of awareness and education of the disease, as well as to support research that will bring focus on proper diagnosis and treatment of RLS in cognitively impaired seniors," Karla said. "Accurate diagnosis of RLS in cognitively seniors will lead to effective treatment management, improved daily function and overall quality of life.”

Karla distributed informational packets to Dr. Richards and her researchers to deepen their understanding of the disease and available treatment options. In total, Karla gave a 45 minutes presentation followed by a 15 minute question and answer period. Karla and staff also attended a presentation on RLS given by Dr. Donald Bliwise, a healthcare provider from Emory Sleep Center, one of the Foundation's 11 certified RLS Quality Care Centers.

“Cognitively impaired seniors with RLS may have difficulty expressing RLS symptoms causing an inability to sit or lie still during the evening or nighttime hours," Karla said. "This study will ensure senior with cognitive impairments are accurately diagnosed and receive proper treatment to manage their RLS symptoms.”

Dr. Richards is a co-investigator, along with Christine Kovach from The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, on the grant "Nighttime Agitation and Restless Legs Syndrome in People with Alzheimer’s Disease." This is a $3.9 million, five year award funded by the National Institute on Aging. Dr. Richards, Kovach and the research team will use the new tool they developed and validated, the Behavioral Indicators Test - Restless Legs.