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Creatine Supplementation in Fibromyalgia: A Randomized, Double‐Blind, Placebo‐Controlled Trial
Author(s) -
Alves Christiano R. R.,
Santiago Bianca M.,
Lima Fernanda R.,
Otaduy Maria C. G.,
Calich Ana Luisa,
Tritto Aline C. C.,
Sá Pinto Ana Lúcia,
Roschel Hamilton,
Leite Cláudia C.,
Benatti Fabiana B.,
Bonfá Eloisa,
Gualano Bruno
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
arthritis care and research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.032
H-Index - 163
eISSN - 2151-4658
pISSN - 2151-464X
DOI - 10.1002/acr.22020
Subject(s) - creatine , placebo , medicine , creatine monohydrate , fibromyalgia , physical therapy , randomized controlled trial , placebo controlled study , adverse effect , anesthesia , double blind , pathology , alternative medicine
Objective To investigate the efficacy and safety of creatine supplementation in fibromyalgia patients. Methods A 16‐week, randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, parallel‐group trial was conducted. Fibromyalgia patients were randomly assigned to receive either creatine monohydrate or placebo in a double‐blind manner. The patients were evaluated at baseline and after 16 weeks. Muscle function, aerobic conditioning, cognitive function, quality of sleep, quality of life, kidney function, and adverse events were assessed. Muscle phosphorylcreatine content was measured through 31 P magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Results After the intervention, the creatine group presented higher muscle phosphorylcreatine content when compared with the placebo group (+80.3% versus −2.7%; P = 0.04). Furthermore, the creatine group presented greater muscle strength than the placebo group in the leg press and chest press exercises (+9.8% and +1.2% for creatine versus −0.5% and −7.2% for placebo, respectively; P = 0.02 and P = 0.002, respectively). Isometric strength was greater in the creatine group than in the placebo group (+6.4% versus −3.2%; P = 0.007). However, no general changes were observed in aerobic conditioning, pain, cognitive function, quality of sleep, and quality of life. Food intake remained unaltered and no side effects were reported. Conclusion Creatine supplementation increased intramuscular phosphorylcreatine content and improved lower‐ and upper‐body muscle function, with minor changes in other fibromyalgia features. These findings introduce creatine supplementation as a useful dietary intervention to improve muscle function in fibromyalgia patients.