163 Magnesium for skeletal muscle cramps 1 / 35 Magnesium for skeletal muscle cramps Review information Review number: 163 Authors Scott R Garrison 1 , G Michael Allan 2 , Ravneet K Sekhon 3 , Vijaya M Musini 3 , Karim M Khan 4 1 Therapeutics Initiative, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada 2 Department of Family Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada 3 Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada 4 Centre for Hip Health and Mobility, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada Citation example: Garrison SR, Allan GM, Sekhon RK, Musini VM, Khan KM. Magnesium for skeletal muscle cramps. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2011 , Issue 11 . Art. No.: CD009402. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD009402 . Contact person Scott R Garrison Physician Therapeutics Initiative University of British Columbia 307-2176 Health Sciences Mall Vancouver BC V6T 1Z3 Canada E-mail: sgarrison@shaw.ca Dates Assessed as Up-to-date:11 October 2011 Date of Search: 11 October 2011 Next Stage Expected: 11 October 2013 Protocol First Published: Issue 11 , 2011 Review First Published: Not specified Last Citation Issue: Issue 11 , 2011 What's new Date Event Description History Date Event Description Abstract Background Skeletal muscle cramps are common and often presented to physicians in association with pregnancy, advanced age, exercise or disorders of the motor neuron (such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis). Magnesium supplements are marketed for the prophylaxis of cramps but the efficacy of magnesium for this indication has never been evaluated by systematic review. Objectives To assess the effects of magnesium supplementation compared to no treatment, placebo control or other cramp therapies in people with skeletal muscle cramps. Search methods We searched the Cochrane Neuromuscular Disease Group Specialized Register (11 October 2011), the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (2011, Issue 3), MEDLINE (January 1966 to September 2011), EMBASE (January 1980 to September 2011), LILACS (January 1982 to September 2011), CINAHL Plus (January 1937 to September 2011), AMED (January 1985 to October 2011) and SPORTDiscus (January 1975 to September 2011). Selection criteria Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of magnesium supplementation (in any form) to prevent skeletal muscle cramps in any patient group (i.e. all clinical presentations of cramp). We considered comparisons of magnesium with no treatment, placebo control, or other therapy.