Science News: Use of Baclofen as a Treatment for Nocturnal Calf Cramps in Individuals With Lumbar Spinal Stenosis: A Prospective Randomized Study

Submitted by: Nandita Keole, MD
Edited by: Nakul Katyal, MD

Citation: Kim HJ, Yoon KB, Kang M, Lee HW, Kim SH. Use of Baclofen as a treatment for nocturnal calf cramps in individuals with lumbar spinal stenosis: A prospective randomized study. Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2024;103(5):384-389. doi:10.1097/PHM.0000000000002364

Summary: Among patients who visited the pain clinic from June to December 2022, 40 adults with spinal stenosis who complained of nocturnal calf cramps more than once a week were enrolled in the study. At the initial visit, all patients underwent fluoroscopy guided epidural injections. A total of 36 patients completed the study. The patients were randomized to receive either gabapentin (titrated to 1200 mg or an effective level) or baclofen 10mg for 3 months. Both gabapentin and baclofen groups showed a significant reduction in overall leg pain, calf cramp frequency and intensity, and insomnia severity index scores from baseline to the endpoint. However, there were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of symptom reduction at different time points. The baclofen group demonstrated a significant decrease in Oswestry Disability Index scores, while the gabapentin group did not.

Comments: This was a low sample size. All patients received epidural injections initially and the effect of these on the night cramps was not assessed prior to initiating the medication trial. This article does not mention how soon after the epidural the medications were initiated. This is an alternative medication that can be tried in patients who cannot tolerate neuropathic pain medications to help with night cramps.