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. 2012 Sep 12;2012(9):CD009402. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD009402.pub2

Comparison 1. Idiopathic rest cramp efficacy, magnesium versus placebo.

Outcome or subgroup title No. of studies No. of participants Statistical method Effect size
1 % Change in cramp frequency from baseline at 4 weeks 2 83 Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) ‐3.93 [‐21.12, 13.26]
2 % Change in cramp frequency from baseline at 12 weeks 1 43 Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) ‐12.09 [‐40.22, 16.04]
3 Proportion of subjects with a ≥ 25% reduction in cramp frequency at 4 weeks 2 83 Risk Difference (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) ‐0.08 [‐0.28, 0.12]
4 Proportion of subjects with a ≥ 25% reduction in cramps at 12 weeks 1 43 Risk Difference (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.11 [‐0.19, 0.41]
5 Number of cramps per week at 4 weeks 4 213 Mean Difference (Fixed, 95% CI) 0.01 [‐0.52, 0.55]
6 Number of cramps per week at 12 weeks 1 43 Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) ‐0.84 [‐3.23, 1.55]
7 Cramp intensity (pain) on a 3 point scale (1 = mild, 2 = moderate, 3 = severe) at 4 weeks 3 175 Mean Difference (Fixed, 95% CI) ‐0.04 [‐0.18, 0.11]
8 Cramp intensity (pain) on a 3 point scale (1 = mild, 2 = moderate, 3 = severe) at 12 weeks 1 43 Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) ‐0.18 [‐0.55, 0.19]
9 Proportion of subjects rating their cramps as moderate or severe (i.e. ≥ 2 on the 3 point intensity scale) at 4 weeks 2 91 Risk Difference (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.09 [‐0.07, 0.25]
10 Proportion of subjects rating their cramps as moderate to severe (i.e. with mean cramp intensity ≥2 on the 3 point intensity scale) at 12 weeks 1 43 Risk Difference (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) ‐0.06 [‐0.21, 0.10]
11 Proportion of subjects with the majority of cramp durations ≥ 1 minute at 4 weeks 1 46 Risk Difference (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.19 [‐0.07, 0.45]
12 Proportion of subjects with majority of cramp durations ≥ 1 minute at 12 weeks 1 43 Risk Difference (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.14 [‐0.13, 0.42]