Williams · Journal of integrative and complementary medicine 2026 · systematic review · n=5 studies

Creatine Supplementation and Acute Sleep Deprivation: A Systematic Review of Cognitive, Psychomotor, and Mood Outcomes.

Level 1 - systematic review of randomized trials

Systematic review of 5 studies

PubMed 42261581 · doi:10.1177/27683605261456529 · record verified 2026-08-26

What was done

Six databases were systematically searched from January 2006 to May 2025 for studies evaluating creatine supplementation's effects on cognitive, psychomotor, and mood outcomes during acute sleep deprivation. Out of 160 records identified, five studies met the inclusion criteria and were synthesized narratively.

What was found

The abstract reports no numerical values, effect sizes, or confidence intervals. The narrative synthesis noted a positive trend favoring creatine supplementation as an intervention for acute sleep deprivation, with effects differing across distinct cognitive domains.

Why it matters

This review compiles the limited literature on whether replenishing cerebral phosphocreatine stores can protect cognitive and psychomotor function during acute sleep loss.

Limits

The literature base is sparse with only five included studies. The abstract provides no quantitative data, participant sample sizes, dosages, or durations of sleep deprivation, precluding definitive conclusions.