Vitamin K2 Supplementation Effective in Reducing Nocturnal Leg Cramps in Older Adults, New Trial Shows

The primary outcome measured was the mean number of NLCs per week, while secondary outcomes included the duration and severity of cramps.

The following were the key findings of the study:

• Among 310 participants, 111 were excluded from the study.
• Of the 199 enrolled individuals, 54.3% were female, with a mean age of 72.3 years.
• Participants were randomly assigned to two groups: 103 received vitamin K2, and 96 received a placebo.
• The mean baseline weekly frequency of cramps was similar for both groups: 2.60 for vitamin K2 and 2.71 for placebo.
• After the 8-week intervention, the vitamin K2 group reported a reduced mean weekly frequency of cramps to 0.96, while the placebo group maintained a frequency of 3.63.
• The statistically significant difference between groups was −2.67.
• The vitamin K2 group showed a greater mean reduction in NLC severity (−2.55 points) than the placebo group (−1.24 points).
• The vitamin K2 group also experienced a more significant mean decrease in the duration of NLCs (−0.90 minutes) than the placebo group (−0.32 minutes).
• There were no adverse events related to vitamin K2 supplementation.

This randomized clinical trial showed that vitamin K2 supplementation significantly decreased the frequency, intensity, and duration of nocturnal leg cramps in older adults, with a favorable safety profile.

"Given its safety, further clinical trials are recommended to confirm the effectiveness of vitamin K2 in managing cramps and to evaluate its impact on the quality of life and sleep in patients experiencing nocturnal leg cramps," the researchers concluded.

Reference:

Tan J, Zhu R, Li Y, et al. Vitamin K2 in Managing Nocturnal Leg Cramps: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Intern Med. Published online October 28, 2024. doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2024.5726