Is creatine (creatine monohydrate) supplementation effective for cerebral infarction (stroke) recovery?

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From the Guidelines

There is currently no direct evidence supporting the use of creatine monohydrate supplementation for stroke recovery in the provided studies. The studies provided focus on rehabilitation services and biomarkers for stroke recovery, but do not mention creatine monohydrate supplementation.

Key Points to Consider

  • The study by 1 discusses the importance of rehabilitation services, such as speech therapy, physical therapy, and occupational therapy, in improving post-stroke recovery and functional outcomes.
  • The study by 1 highlights the need for biomarkers to predict long-term outcomes after stroke and to identify patients who may benefit from specific interventions, but does not mention creatine monohydrate supplementation.

Recommendations for Stroke Recovery

  • Patients should focus on established medical interventions, such as physical therapy, speech therapy, and occupational therapy, as part of a comprehensive stroke rehabilitation program.
  • Healthcare providers should assess patients' rehabilitation needs and initiate basic rehabilitation activities early on, as recommended by 1.
  • Further research is needed to explore the potential benefits of creatine monohydrate supplementation for stroke recovery, but currently, there is no evidence to support its use for this purpose.

From the Research

Creatine Monohydrate Supplementation for Stroke Recovery

  • There is limited literature directly supporting the use of creatine monohydrate supplementation for stroke recovery 2, 3, 4.
  • Studies have shown that creatine supplementation can increase muscle performance in short-duration, high-intensity resistance exercises 2, 3.
  • However, the effectiveness of creatine supplementation for stroke recovery is not well-established, and more research is needed to support or refute its use in this context.
  • Occupational therapy practice guidelines for adults with stroke recommend interventions such as mirror therapy, task-oriented training, and mental imagery to improve performance and participation in daily activities and occupations 5.
  • A Cochrane review found that occupational therapy may result in little to no clinical difference in basic activities of daily living (BADL) immediately after intervention and at three and six months' follow-up, but may slightly improve global cognitive performance and sustained visual attention 6.
  • There is no direct evidence to support the use of creatine monohydrate supplementation as a treatment for stroke recovery, and its potential benefits and risks in this context are unclear 2, 3, 4.

References

Guideline

Guideline Directed Topic Overview

Dr.Oracle Medical Advisory Board & Editors, 2025

Research

Creatine supplementation.

Current sports medicine reports, 2013

Research

Creatine Supplementation: An Update.

Current sports medicine reports, 2021

Research

Creatine: a review of efficacy and safety.

Journal of the American Pharmaceutical Association (Washington, D.C. : 1996), 1999

Research

Occupational Therapy Practice Guidelines for Adults With Stroke.

The American journal of occupational therapy : official publication of the American Occupational Therapy Association, 2023

Research

Occupational therapy for cognitive impairment in stroke patients.

The Cochrane database of systematic reviews, 2022

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

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