Beneficial effect of creatine supplementation in knee osteoarthritis.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to determine whether creatine supplementation combined with resistance training improves physical function, lean mass, and quality of life in postmenopausal women with knee osteoarthritis.
Results Summary
The study found that creatine supplementation significantly improved physical function, lower limb lean mass, and quality of life compared to placebo, while both groups showed reduced pain and increased leg-press strength.
Population
Postmenopausal women with knee osteoarthritis
Effective Dosage
20 g/day for 1 week, then 5 g/day thereafter
Duration
12 weeks
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
creatine (CR) supplementation combined with strengthening exercises | increase | physical function as measured by the timed-stands test | postmenopausal women with knee OA | - | significantly improved | #1 |
creatine (CR) supplementation combined with strengthening exercises | increase | physical function subscale as evaluated by the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index | postmenopausal women with knee OA | - | presented improvements | #2 |
creatine (CR) supplementation combined with strengthening exercises | increase | stiffness subscale as evaluated by the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index | postmenopausal women with knee OA | - | presented improvements | #3 |
creatine (CR) supplementation combined with strengthening exercises | increase | lower limb lean mass | postmenopausal women with knee OA | - | presented a significant improvement | #4 |
creatine (CR) supplementation combined with strengthening exercises | increase | quality of life | postmenopausal women with knee OA | - | presented a significant improvement | #5 |
creatine (CR) supplementation combined with strengthening exercises | decrease | pain | postmenopausal women with knee OA | - | demonstrated significant reductions | #6 |
placebo (PL) combined with strengthening exercises | decrease | pain | postmenopausal women with knee OA | - | demonstrated significant reductions | #7 |
creatine (CR) supplementation combined with strengthening exercises | increase | leg-press one-repetition maximum | postmenopausal women with knee OA | - | increase | #8 |
placebo (PL) combined with strengthening exercises | increase | leg-press one-repetition maximum | postmenopausal women with knee OA | - | increase | #9 |
INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of creatine (CR) supplementation combined with strengthening exercises in knee osteoarthritis (OA). METHODS: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was performed. Postmenopausal women with knee OA were allocated to receive either CR (20 g·d(-1) for 1 wk and 5 g·d(-1) thereafter) or placebo (PL) and were enrolled in a lower limb resistance training program. They were assessed at baseline (PRE) and after 12 wk (POST). The primary outcome was the physical function as measured by the timed-stands test. Secondary outcomes included lean mass, quality of life, pain, stiffness, and muscle strength. RESULTS: Physical function was significantly improved only in the CR group (P = 0.006). In addition, a significant between-group difference was observed (CR: PRE = 15.7 ± 1.4, POST = 18.1 ± 1.8; PL: PRE = 15.0 ± 1.8, POST = 15.2 ± 1.2; P = 0.004). The CR group also presented improvements in physical function and stiffness subscales as evaluated by the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (P = 0.005 and P = 0.024, respectively), whereas the PL group did not show any significant changes in these parameters (P > 0.05). In addition, only the CR group presented a significant improvement in lower limb lean mass (P = 0.04) as well as in quality of life (P = 0.01). Both CR and PL groups demonstrated significant reductions in pain (P < 0.05). Similarly, a main effect for time revealed an increase in leg-press one-repetition maximum (P = 0.005) with no significant differences between groups (P = 0.81). CONCLUSIONS: CR supplementation improves physical function, lower limb lean mass, and quality of life in postmenopausal women with knee OA undergoing strengthening exercises.