15 May 2002
Randomised, cross-over, placebo controlled trial of magnesium citrate in thetreatment of chronic persistent leg cramps.
Sheila Sills, Christine Roffe, Peter Crome, Peter JonesMed Sci Monit 2002; 8(5): CR326-330 :: ID: 420841
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Nocturnal leg cramps are common and distressing. The only treatmentof proven effectiveness is quinine, but this has a number of side effects. Magnesium salts have beenshown to reduce leg cramp distress in pregnancy. This study tests whether magnesium citrate is effectivein the treatment of leg cramps in non-pregnant individuals by conducting in a randomised, double-blind,cross-over placebo-controlled trial. MATERIAL/METHODS: Volunteers suffering regular leg cramps were recruited.Magnesium citrate equivalent to 300 mg magnesium and matching placebo were given for 6 weeks each. Thenumber of cramps recorded in the cramp diary during the final 4 weeks of magnesium and placebo treatment,severity and duration of cramps and the participants' subjective assessment of effectiveness were analysed.RESULTS: In subjects who started with placebo (n=29) the median (95% CI) number of cramps was 9 (6-17)on placebo and 5 (4-8) on magnesium. For the group starting with magnesium (n=17) the median no of crampswas 9 (5-13) on magnesium and 8 (4-14) on placebo. There was no significant carry-over effect (p=0.88),but a highly significant period effect (p=0.008). There was a trend towards less cramps on magnesium(p=0.07). There was no difference in cramp severity and duration between the groups. Significantly moresubjects thought that the treatment had helped after magnesium than after placebo 36 (78%) and 25 (54%)respectively, (p=0.03). Diarrhoea was recorded as a side effect of magnesium. CONCLUSIONS: The resultssuggest that magnesium may be effective in treatment of nocturnal leg cramps. Further evaluation is recommended.
Keywords: Cathartics, Citric Acid, Cross-Over Studies, Double-Blind Method, Muscle Cramp, Organometallic Compounds, Placebos, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov, Sleep Disorders, Time Factors, Trace Elements
Editorial
01 April 2024 : Editorial
Editorial: Forty Years of Waiting for Prevention and Cure of HIV Infection – Ongoing Challenges and Hopes for Vaccine Development and Overcoming Antiretroviral Drug ResistanceDOI: 10.12659/MSM.944600
Med Sci Monit 2024; 30:e944600
In Press
06 Mar 2024 : Clinical Research
Comparison of Outcomes between Single-Level and Double-Level Corpectomy in Thoracolumbar Reconstruction: A ...Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.943797
21 Mar 2024 : Meta-Analysis
Economic Evaluation of COVID-19 Screening Tests and Surveillance Strategies in Low-Income, Middle-Income, a...Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.943863
10 Apr 2024 : Clinical Research
Predicting Acute Cardiovascular Complications in COVID-19: Insights from a Specialized Cardiac Referral Dep...Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.942612
06 Mar 2024 : Clinical Research
Enhanced Surgical Outcomes of Popliteal Cyst Excision: A Retrospective Study Comparing Arthroscopic Debride...Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.941102
Most Viewed Current Articles
17 Jan 2024 : Review article
Vaccination Guidelines for Pregnant Women: Addressing COVID-19 and the Omicron VariantDOI :10.12659/MSM.942799
Med Sci Monit 2024; 30:e942799
14 Dec 2022 : Clinical Research
Prevalence and Variability of Allergen-Specific Immunoglobulin E in Patients with Elevated Tryptase LevelsDOI :10.12659/MSM.937990
Med Sci Monit 2022; 28:e937990
16 May 2023 : Clinical Research
Electrophysiological Testing for an Auditory Processing Disorder and Reading Performance in 54 School Stude...DOI :10.12659/MSM.940387
Med Sci Monit 2023; 29:e940387
01 Jan 2022 : Editorial
Editorial: Current Status of Oral Antiviral Drug Treatments for SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Non-Hospitalized Pa...DOI :10.12659/MSM.935952
Med Sci Monit 2022; 28:e935952