Creatine pilot trial reported fatigue improvement in a post-COVID group
A placebo comparison found a fatigue-score improvement in the lower-dose arm; the abstract leaves the higher-dose results unclear.
Based on the published abstract. The full paper may contain additional methods, results and limitations.
The 30-second takeaway
In this pilot trial, the lower-dose creatine arm showed a greater improvement in fatigue scores than placebo, alongside a handgrip-strength improvement. Everyone also took part in physical activity. The abstract does not give corresponding outcome estimates for the higher-dose arm, so it cannot establish which dose performed better or whether benefits persist.
This abstract-based summary covers a short pilot trial with incomplete follow-up. Results for the higher-dose arm are not detailed, and minimal, temporary adverse events do not establish long-term safety.
What researchers found
Fatigue score: PFS-R difference-in-differences
6 g/day creatine versus placebo over 4 weeks; the estimate compares changes on the revised Piper Fatigue Scale.
Comparing changes
Researchers compared fatigue changes from before to after treatment across groups. This comparison of changes is the reported difference-in-differences estimate; a lower fatigue score indicates less fatigue on the study questionnaire.
Other outcomes remain unclear
The handgrip result concerns measured muscle strength. Although the trial assessed quality of life, lung function and other outcomes, the abstract does not provide their results, limiting conclusions beyond the reported endpoints.
The original publication
Creatine supplementation on fatigue related to post-COVID-19 condition-fatigue study: a randomized controlled trial.
Dos Santos MSC, Dorna MS, Costa AF et al.
Front Nutr · 2026
- PubMed ID
- 41958909
- Record checked
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