OBJECTIVES: Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) is a neurological movement disorder affecting 5-15% of the general population. Given its subjective nature, it is important to assess the impact of RLS from the patient's perspective. The objective of the literature review was to identify and assess the suitability of instruments used to measure the impact of RLS on quality of life (QoL). METHODS: Systematic searches of Medline and PsycINFO were conducted using terms synonymous with “RLS” in combination with terms associated with measuring “QoL”. RESULTS: Two hundred and six abstracts were identified and screened. Of these, 21 reported quantitative studies using a variety of measures (i.e. generic health status, RLS-specific health status, symptoms and emotional well-being, anxiety/depression and fatigue/sleep), despite almost all abstracts referring to the measurement of “QoL”. Generic measures, such as the SF-36 can be useful when making comparisons with other medical conditions but have limited value for assessing the full impact of RLS because they include irrelevant items (e.g. mobility, which is likely to relieve symptoms) and exclude relevant issues (e.g. impact on sleep, working life). The RLS-specific symptom measure (the IRLS) is often misinterpreted as measuring QoL rather than symptoms. Recently, the RLSQOL and RLSQLI have been developed to measure the impact of RLS on QoL. Despite displaying adequate psychometric properties and assessing some facets of QoL impacted by RLS, these also do not assess the full range of aspects of life affected by RLS. CONCLUSION: This review concludes that existing generic and RLS-specific measures are likely to underestimate the full impact of RLS on QoL and, therefore, underestimate the full potential benefits of new treatments. In addition, they rarely offer opportunities for patients to indicate any perceived benefits of the condition. A new questionnaire is needed to assess the full impact (both positive and negative) of RLS on QoL.