Efficacy and safety of cannabinoids in the treatment of spasticity in multiple sclerosis: A systematic review of randomized clinical trials.
Letícia Hamm-Buiar, Daniela Gorski, Marcela Harumi Kagueiama et al.
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In 30 seconds
This systematic review evaluated the efficacy and safety of cannabinoids for treating spasticity in multiple sclerosis, analyzing 27 randomized controlled trials with over 3000 participants. The findings indicated that THC:CBD extracts significantly reduced patient-reported spasticity compared to placebo, with a mean difference of -0.82. Adverse events were common but mostly mild.
Key findings
- THC:CBD extracts reduced patient-reported spasticity versus placebo with a mean difference of -0.82.
- Network meta-analysis confirmed the superiority of THC:CBD extracts with a mean difference of -0.80.
- Adverse events were frequent but primarily mild to moderate, with serious events being rare.
- The certainty of evidence was assessed as low due to substantial clinical and methodological heterogeneity.
Why it matters
Understanding the efficacy and safety of cannabinoids in managing spasticity can help clinicians make informed decisions about adjunctive therapies for multiple sclerosis patients, particularly in light of the modest benefits and potential adverse effects.
What to keep in mind
The certainty of evidence was low, and there was substantial clinical and methodological heterogeneity among the included studies.