A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial to Evaluate the Therapeutic Effect of Magnesium-L-Threonate Supplementation for Persistent Pain After Breast Cancer Surgery.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to evaluate whether magnesium-L-threonate supplementation could prevent persistent pain and improve related outcomes (mood, sleep, cognition) in breast cancer survivors after surgery.
Results Summary
Magnesium-L-threonate did not significantly reduce chronic pain incidence or improve pain, mood, sleep, or cognitive function compared to placebo. No significant differences were observed between the treatment and control groups on any measured outcomes.
Population
Breast cancer survivors who underwent mastectomy (109 patients, 48 in treatment group, 61 in placebo group).
Effective Dosage
Not specified in the abstract.
Duration
12 weeks.
Interactions
None mentioned.
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
magnesium-L-threonate | no change | persistent pain | breast cancer survivors | - | did not effectively prevent the development of persistent pain | #1 |
magnesium-L-threonate | no change | pain relief | breast cancer survivors | - | did not provide sufficient pain relief | #2 |
magnesium-L-threonate | no change | pain | patients who underwent breast cancer procedure | - | did not show improvement | #3 |
magnesium-L-threonate | no change | mood | patients who underwent breast cancer procedure | - | did not show improvement | #4 |
magnesium-L-threonate | no change | sleep disorder | patients who underwent breast cancer procedure | - | did not show improvement | #5 |
magnesium-L-threonate | no change | cognitive function | patients who underwent breast cancer procedure | - | did not show improvement | #6 |
magnesium-L-threonate | neutral | chronic pain incidence | patients | 31% (15 out of 48) | reported chronic pain | #7 |
placebo | neutral | chronic pain incidence | control group | 26% (16 out of 61) | reported chronic pain | #8 |
placebo | increase | Total scores of SF-MPQ | control group | mean difference, 1.475; 95% CI, -2.730 to -0.2211 | were significantly increased | #9 |
magnesium-L-threonate | no change | Total scores of SF-MPQ | magnesium treated group | mean difference, 1.250; 95% CI, -2.775 to 0.2748 | were NOT significantly increased | #10 |
magnesium-L-threonate | no change | SF-MPQ | two cohorts | - | No significant differences were found | #11 |
magnesium-L-threonate | no change | GAD-7 | two cohorts | - | No significant differences were found | #12 |
magnesium-L-threonate | no change | PHQ-9 | two cohorts | - | No significant differences were found | #13 |
magnesium-L-threonate | no change | PSQI | two cohorts | - | No significant differences were found | #14 |
magnesium-L-threonate | no change | TICS | two cohorts | - | No significant differences were found | #15 |
PURPOSE: Post-mastectomy pain syndrome is a common yet debilitating neuropathic complication after breast cancer procedures, resulting in significantly reduced quality of life. Recently, emerging evidence has supported the therapeutic effect of magnesium administration in chronic pain. However, the role of magnesium supplementation in development of chronic pain after breast cancer surgery remains less known. The aim of this study was to evaluate therapeutic effect of magnesium supplementation on persistent pain after breast cancer procedure. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. A total of 109 patients who underwent breast cancer procedure received magnesium-L-threonate (n = 48) or placebo (n = 61) for 12 weeks. Chronic pain incidence, short form of the McGill Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ), Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status (TICS) were evaluated at 3- and 6-month follow-up. RESULTS: About 31% (15 out of 48) of patients reported chronic pain after magnesium supplementation, and 26% (16 out of 61) of the control group at 6-month follow-up respectively. Total scores of SF-MPQ were significantly increased in the control group 6 months after surgical intervention (mean difference, 1.475; 95% CI, -2.730 to -0.2211), but NOT in the magnesium treated group (mean difference, 1.250; 95% CI, -2.775 to 0.2748). No significant differences were found between two cohorts on SF-MPQ, GAD-7, PHQ-9, PSQI, or TICS at each timepoint. CONCLUSION: Oral supplementation of magnesium-L-threonate did not effectively prevent the development of persistent pain in breast cancer survivors, nor provide sufficient pain relief over placebo. We did not observe improvement of pain, mood, sleep disorder, or cognitive function after 12-week magnesium supplementation. Future study may focus on magnesium combined with other effective anti-neuropathic pain treatment.