Eficácia da suplementação de creatina no funcionamento cognitivo: revisão sistemática de ensaios clínicos

Abstract

Creatine is widely used to enhance muscular performance; however, its cognitive effects remain controversial. This study systematically evaluated the effect of creatine supplementation on cognitive performance in adults. A systematic review was conducted in accordance with the guidelines of PRISMA 2020. Searches were performed in the databases PubMed, Scopus, SciELO, Portal de Periódicos CAPES, and LILACS. Randomised controlled trials investigating the effects of creatine on cognitive outcomes measured through neuropsychological tests were included. Nine studies met the eligibility criteria. Most investigations assessed healthy young adults under baseline conditions and found no significant effects of creatine supplementation on memory, attention, executive functions, or processing speed, regardless of the administered dose. Only one study reported improvement in processing speed following a single dose of creatine under a condition of 21-hour sleep deprivation. Overall, the available evidence does not support robust cognitive benefits of creatine in healthy young adults under baseline conditions. However, preliminary findings suggest potential effects in contexts of metabolic stress.