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Effect of oral magnesium supplementation for relieving leg cramps during pregnancy: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Taiwanese journal of obstetrics & gynecology
July 1, 2021
Jing Liu et al. (4 authors)
Journal ArticleMeta-AnalysisSystematic ReviewHuman Study
Extracted Claims (4)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
magnesium supplement
no change
frequency of leg cramps after treatment
pregnant women
WMD = -0.47, 95% CI: -1.14-0.20, P = 0.167
not decreased
#1
Magnesium supplementation
no change
recovery from leg cramps
pregnant women
OR = 0.47, 95% CI: 0.14-1.52, P = 0.207
cannot improve
#2
Magnesium supplementation
no change
side effects
pregnant women
OR = 1.82, 95% CI: 0.90-3.69, P = 0.094
had no significant side effects
#3
Oral magnesium supplementation
no change
treatment of leg cramps during pregnancy
pregnant women
-
is not effective
#4
Abstract

Leg cramps are one of the common symptoms during pregnancy. About 30%-50% of pregnant women experience leg cramps twice a week. Leg cramps may cause severe pain and sleep disturbance, hinder performance of daily activities and may lengthen the duration of pregnancy and the type of childbirth. Several randomized controlled trial (RCT) studies focused on the effects of the magnesium supplement for relieving leg cramps. However, the results were inconsistent. Five databases were searched from their inception to July 2, 2020. We summarized the weighted mean difference (WMD) with 95% CIs for "the frequency of leg cramps after treatment", and summarized the odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for "recovery from leg cramps" and "side effects". Four RCTs with a total of 332 pregnant women were identified. The frequency of leg cramps after treatment was not decreased in the treatment group compared to the control group (WMD = -0.47, 95% CI: -1.14-0.20, P = 0.167). Magnesium supplementation cannot improve the recovery from leg cramps compared to the control group (OR = 0.47, 95% CI: 0.14-1.52, P = 0.207). Magnesium supplementation had no significant side effects in the treatment group compared to the control group (OR = 1.82, 95% CI: 0.90-3.69, P = 0.094). Oral magnesium supplementation is not effective in the treatment of leg cramps during pregnancy. PROSPERO: CRD42020196572.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
Administration, OralDietary SupplementsFemaleHumansLegMagnesiumMuscle CrampPregnancyPregnancy ComplicationsRandomized Controlled Trials as TopicTreatment Outcome
Study Links
Citation Metrics
Total Citations4
Citations/Year1.0
Relative Citation Ratio0.42
NIH Percentile22.6%
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.25
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