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. 2000;2002(2):CD000121.
doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD000121.

Interventions for leg cramps in pregnancy

G L Young  1 , D Jewell
Affiliations

Interventions for leg cramps in pregnancy

G L Young et al. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2000.

Update in

Abstract

Background: Many women experience leg cramps in the second half of pregnancy.

Objectives: The objective of this review was to assess the effects of treatments for leg cramps in pregnancy.

Search strategy: We searched the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group trials register.

Selection criteria: Randomised trials of treatments for leg cramps, persisting for at least two weeks, in pregnancy.

Data collection and analysis: Trial quality was assessed and data were extracted independently by two reviewers.

Main results: Three trials involving 217 women were included. The trials were of moderate quality. Compared with placebo, calcium reduced leg cramps (odds ratio 0.29, 95% confidence interval 0.15 to 0.56). However there was significant heterogeneity between these results. One trial comparing sodium chloride with placebo showed a reduction in leg cramps (odds ratio 0.08, 95% confidence interval 0.03 to 0.24). Based on one trial, there appeared to be no difference between calcium and sodium chloride.

Reviewer's conclusions: Both calcium and sodium chloride appear to help reduce leg cramps in pregnancy. However the results of the sodium chloride trial may no longer be relevant because of dietary changes.

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Conflict of interest statement

None known.

Figures

1.1
1.1. Analysis
Comparison 1 Calcium versus placebo or no treatment, Outcome 1 Women with persisting leg cramps.
2.1
2.1. Analysis
Comparison 2 Sodium chloride versus placebo, Outcome 1 Women with persisting or recurring leg cramps.
3.1
3.1. Analysis
Comparison 3 Calcium versus sodium chloride, Outcome 1 Women with persisting leg cramps.
4.1
4.1. Analysis
Comparison 4 Multivitamin and mineral supplements versus placebo, Outcome 1 women with persisting leg cramps.
5.1
5.1. Analysis
Comparison 5 Magnesium versus placebo, Outcome 1 women with persisting leg cramps.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

References to studies included in this review

Dahle 1995 {published data only}
    1. Dahle LO, Berg G, Hammar M, Hurtig M, Larsson L. The effect or oral magnesium substitution on pregnancy‐induced leg cramps. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology 1995;173:175‐80. - PubMed
Hammar 1981 {published data only}
    1. Hammar M, Larsson L, Tegler L. Calcium treatment of leg cramps in pregnancy. Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica 1981;60:345‐7. - PubMed
Hammar 1987 {published data only}
    1. Hammar M, Berg G, Solheim F, Larsson L. Calcium and magnesium status in pregnant women. A comparison between treatment with calcium and vitamin C in pregnant women with leg cramps. International Journal for Vitamin and Nutrition Research 1987;57:179‐83. - PubMed
Robinson 1947 {published data only}
    1. Robinson M. Cramps in pregnancy. Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology for the British Commonwealth 1947;54:826‐929. - PubMed
Thauvin 1992 {published data only}
    1. Thauvin E, Fusselier M, Arnaud J, Faure H, Favier M, Coudray C, et al. Effects of multivitamin mineral supplement on zinc and copper status during pregnancy. Biological Trace Element Research 1992;32:405‐14. - PubMed

References to studies excluded from this review

Mauss 1970 {published data only}
    1. Mauss HJ. Muscular cramp in the calf caused by pregnancy. Therapy in a blind study (translation). Medizinische Welt 1970;36:1570‐1. - PubMed
Mukherjee 1997 {published data only}
    1. Mukherjee J, Jong A, Wu MY, Tsim YL. Leg cramps in pregnancy and calcium supplementation. Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica 1997;76:89.
Odendaal 1974 {published data only}
    1. Odendaal HJ. Kalsium vir die Behandeling van Beenkrampe tydens Swangerskap. South African Medical Journal 1974;48:780‐1. - PubMed

References to studies awaiting assessment

Griffith 1998 {published data only}
    1. Griffith EC, Crowther CA, Hiller JE, Wilson KJ, ACT Study Group. Leg cramps in pregnancy: ineffectiveness of calcium supplementation. 2nd Annual Congress of the Perinatal Society of Australia & New Zealand; 1998 March 30‐April 4; Alice Springs, Australia. 1998:99.
Kohama 2006 {published data only}
    1. Kohama T, Inoue M. Pycnogenol alleviates pain associated with pregnancy. Phytotherapy Research 2006;20(3):232‐4. - PubMed
Nygaard 2008 {published data only}
    1. Nygaard IH, Valbo A, Pethick SV, Bohmer T. Does oral magnesium substitution relieve pregnancy‐induced leg cramps?. European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology 2008;141(1):23‐6. - PubMed
Shahraki 2006 {published data only}
    1. Shahraki AD. Effects of vitamin E, calcium carbonate and milk of magnesium on muscular cramps in pregnant women. Journal of Medical Sciences 2006;6(6):979‐83.
Sohrabvand 2006 {published data only}
    1. Sohrabvand F, Shariat M, Haghollahi F. Vitamin B supplementation for leg cramps during pregnancy. International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics 2006;95(1):48‐9. - PubMed

Additional references

Clarke 2001
    1. Clarke M, Oxman AD (editors). Cochrane Reviewers' Handbook 4.1 [updated July 2000]. In: Review Manager (RevMan) [Computer program]. Version 4.1 Oxford, England: The Cochrane Collaboration, 2000. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Salvatore 1961
    1. Salvatore C.A. Leg cramp syndrome in pregnancy. Obstetrics and Gynecology 1961;17(5):634‐9. - PubMed
Zhou 2015
    1. Zhou K, West HM, Zhang J, Xu L, Li W. Interventions for leg cramps in pregnancy. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2015, Issue 8. [DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD010655.pub2] - DOI - PubMed

References to other published versions of this review

Young 2001
    1. Young GL, Jewell D. Interventions for leg cramps in pregnancy. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2002, Issue 1. [DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD000121] - DOI - PubMed

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