Creatine monohydrate enhances strength and body composition in Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
Level 2 - randomized trial
Individual randomized, double-blind crossover trial.
PubMed 15159476 · doi:10.1212/01.wnl.0000125178.18862.9d
What was done
Thirty boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (50% taking corticosteroids) completed a double-blind, randomized crossover trial evaluating 4 months of creatine monohydrate (~0.10 g/kg/day) against 4 months of placebo, separated by a 6-week washout. Measurements included pulmonary function, manual muscle and handgrip strength, functional tasks, activities of daily living, body composition (fat-free mass), serum safety markers (creatine kinase, gamma-glutamyl transferase, creatinine), and urinary markers of myofibrillar protein breakdown (3-methylhistidine), oxidative stress (8-OH-2-dG), and bone degradation (N-telopeptides).
What was found
Creatine monohydrate significantly increased dominant handgrip strength and fat-free mass (p < 0.05) and reduced urinary N-telopeptides (p < 0.05). There was a trend toward loss of global muscle strength only during the placebo phase (p = 0.056). Creatine treatment produced no improvements in functional tasks or activities of daily living. Corticosteroid use, but not creatine, was associated with lower 8-OH-2-dG/creatinine (p < 0.05). The abstract reports no numerical values or effect sizes, only p-values.
Why it matters
This study provides evidence that creatine monohydrate can modestly improve grip strength, fat-free mass, and bone degradation markers in boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, although benefits did not translate to functional performance.
Limits
The sample size was small (30 participants). No raw effect sizes, confidence intervals, or numerical measurements were reported in the abstract. Short-term strength and body composition changes did not translate into functional or daily-living improvements.
Cited by
- supports Creatine supplementation provides clinical benefits in young boys with muscular dystrophy.