Stretching before sleep reduces the frequency and severity of nocturnal leg cramps in older adults: a randomised trial

Journal of Physiotherapy
Joannes M HallegraeffMathieu H G de Greef

Abstract

In adults who experience nocturnal leg cramps, does stretching of the calf and hamstring muscles each day just before sleep reduce the frequency and severity of the cramps? A randomised trial with concealed allocation and intention-to-treat analysis. Eighty adults aged over 55 years with nocturnal leg cramps who were not being treated with quinine. The experimental group performed stretches of the calf and hamstring muscles nightly, immediately before going to sleep, for six weeks. The control group performed no specific stretching exercises. Both groups continued other usual activities. Participants recorded the frequency of nocturnal leg cramps in a daily diary. Participants also recorded the severity of the pain associated with nocturnal leg cramps on a 10-cm visual analogue scale. Adverse events were also recorded. All participants completed the study. At six weeks, the frequency of nocturnal leg cramps decreased significantly more in the experimental group, mean difference 1.2 cramps per night (95% CI 0.6 to 1.8). The severity of the nocturnal leg cramps had also decreased significantly more in the experimental group than in the control group, mean difference 1.3 cm (95% CI 0.9 to 1.7) on the 10-cm visual analogue scale. N...Continue Reading

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Citations

Nov 30, 2013·The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine : Research on Paradigm, Practice, and Policy·Subbappa Ribeiro
Aug 16, 2016·Age and Ageing·Louise RabbittShaun T O'Keeffe
Aug 16, 2016·BMC Family Practice·Hubert MaisonneuveMichel Leveque
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Aug 5, 2017·Continuum : Lifelong Learning in Neurology·Lynn Marie Trotti
Nov 23, 2017·Neuromodulation : Journal of the International Neuromodulation Society·Michael BehringerJoachim Mester
Jan 20, 2012·The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews·Fiona BlytonJoshua Burns
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Oct 7, 2017·Family Practice·Mathieu LorenzoHubert Maisonneuve
Mar 1, 2017·BMC Family Practice·Joannes HallegraeffCees van der Schans
May 18, 2021·The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews·Fiona HawkeJoshua Burns

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