Magnesium supplementation for the treatment of restless legs syndrome and periodic limb movement disorder: a systematic review

Nathaniel S. Marshall*, Yasmina Serinel, Roo Killick, Julia M. Child, Isabelle Raisin, Callum M. Berry, Tea Lallukka, Rick Wassing, Richard W. W. Lee, Rajeev Ratnavadivel, Hima Vedam, Ron Grunstein, Keith K. H. Wong, Camilla M. Hoyos, Elizabeth A. Cayanan, Maria Comas, Julia L. Chapman, Brendon J. Yee

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

17 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Magnesium supplementation is often suggested for restless legs syndrome (RLS) or period limb movement disorder (PLMD) based on anecdotal evidence that it relieves symptoms and because it is also commonly recommended for leg cramps. We aimed to review all articles reporting the effects of magnesium supplementation on changes in RLS and/or PLMD. We conducted a systematic search looking for all relevant articles and then two reviewers read all article titles and abstracts to identify relevant studies. Eligible studies were scored for their quality as interventional trials. We found 855 abstracts and 16 of these could not be definitively excluded for not addressing all aspects of our research question. Seven full-text articles were unlocatable and one was ineligible which left eight studies with relevant data. One was a randomised placebo-controlled trial, three were case series and four were case studies. The RCT did not find a significant treatment effect of magnesium but may have been underpowered. After quality appraisal and synthesis of the evidence we were unable to make a conclusion as to the effectiveness of magnesium for RLS/PLMD. It is not clear whether magnesium helps relieve RLS or PLMD or in which patient groups any benefit might be seen.

Original languageEnglish
Article number101218
Pages (from-to)1-7
Number of pages7
JournalSleep Medicine Reviews
Volume48
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2019
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Diet
  • Ekbom-willis disease
  • MagMin
  • Magnesium
  • Mg
  • Periodic limb movement disorder
  • Restless legs syndrome
  • Supplement
  • Wittmaack-ekbom syndrome

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