Oral magnesium for relief in pregnancy‐induced leg cramps: a randomised controlled trial

Abstract

Leg cramps are common in pregnant women. Currently, there is no standard treatment for pregnancy‐induced leg cramps. The objective of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of oral magnesium in pregnant women with leg cramps. This double‐blinded, randomised, placebo‐controlled trial included 86 healthy pregnant women, 14–34 weeks of gestation who had leg cramps at least twice per week. The study period was 4 weeks. Eighty women completed the study. Forty‐one women were assigned to magnesium bisglycinate chelate (300 mg per day) and 39 women to placebo. Details of leg cramps were recorded before beginning the treatment and the fourth week of study. Outcome measure was the reduction of cramp frequency after treatment and cramp intensity measured by 100‐mm visual analogue scale.