Effect of creatine supplementation and sleep deprivation, with mild exercise, on cognitive and psychomotor performance, mood state, and plasma concentrations of catecholamines and cortisol.
Level 2 - randomized trial
Individual randomized controlled trial
PubMed 16416332 · doi:10.1007/s00213-005-0269-z
What was done
A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial evaluated 19 participants assigned to receive creatine monohydrate (5 g four times daily for 7 days; n=10) or placebo (n=9). Following supplementation, participants underwent 24 hours of sleep deprivation combined with intermittent mild exercise. Cognitive and psychomotor performance (random movement generation [RMG], verbal and spatial recall, choice reaction time, static balance) and mood state were tested at baseline (0 h), 6, 12, and 24 h. Plasma concentrations of catecholamines (norepinephrine, dopamine) and cortisol were assessed at 0 and 24 h.
What was found
At 24 h, the creatine group showed significantly less change in performance from baseline (0 h delta) in RMG, choice reaction time, static balance, and mood state compared to placebo. No significant differences were observed between groups in plasma catecholamines or cortisol. Across groups, norepinephrine and dopamine concentrations increased significantly from 0 to 24 h, while cortisol decreased. The abstract reports no numerical values, effect sizes, or p-values.
Why it matters
Short-term high-dose creatine supplementation may mitigate declines in executive cognitive function, reaction time, motor control, and mood induced by acute sleep deprivation combined with mild physical activity.
Limits
The sample size is very small (19 participants across two groups). The abstract omits participant demographics and specific numerical data/p-values. Findings from acute 24-hour total sleep deprivation with exercise may not generalize to chronic partial sleep loss or other contexts.
Cited by
- partial High-dose creatine supplementation (20 to 25 grams) negates the negative cognitive performance effects caused by acute sleep deprivation.
- supports Creatine provides documented, mild cognitive support effects, including under conditions of sleep deprivation.