A pilot study of 25 children (ages 1-17) with complex motor disorders found that 5 months of CBD-enriched cannabis oil significantly improved spasticity, dystonia, sleep difficulties, pain severity, and quality of life, with rare adverse effects.
Pediatric neurologists treating complex motor disorders; parents exploring treatment options for children with spasticity; researchers designing pediatric cannabis trials.
Significant improvement across 5 symptom domains in children aged 1-17
What the researchers found
Twenty-five children aged 1-17 with complex motor disorders (combinations of spasticity, dystonia, and other movement abnormalities) were enrolled in a pilot study testing CBD-enriched cannabis oil.
Two formulations were compared: a 20:1 CBD:THC ratio (0.25% THC) and a 6:1 ratio (0.83% THC). Both were 5% CBD oil.
After 5 months of treatment, significant improvement was observed in the total cohort for spasticity, dystonia, sleep difficulties, pain severity, and quality of life, regardless of which formulation patients received.
Adverse effects were rare: 2 patients had worsening seizures, 2 had behavioral changes, and 1 had somnolence.
The study was approved by the institutional ethics committee.
Why it matters
Children with complex motor disorders have limited treatment options and significant suffering from spasticity and pain. This pilot study suggests CBD-enriched cannabis oil may help across multiple symptom domains simultaneously, which is unusual for a single intervention in this population.
The numbers in context
25 patients, ages 1-17. Two formulations: 20:1 CBD:THC (0.25% THC) and 6:1 CBD:THC (0.83% THC). 5-month treatment period. Significant improvement in spasticity, dystonia, sleep, pain, and QOL. Adverse effects: seizure worsening (2), behavioral changes (2), somnolence (1).
How the study worked
Open-label pilot study of 25 children with complex motor disorders. Two CBD-enriched oil formulations (20:1 and 6:1 CBD:THC) administered for 5 months. Outcomes assessed included spasticity, dystonia, sleep, pain, and quality of life.
What this study cannot tell us
Open-label design without placebo control, so improvement could reflect placebo effect, natural fluctuation, or caregiver expectation. Small sample (25 patients). No blinding between the two CBD:THC ratios. Short duration for a chronic condition.
How to read the evidence
Preliminary. Open-label pilot study without placebo control. Promising results that need confirmation in controlled trials.
When this study was published
Published in 2018. Pediatric cannabis medicine research has continued to expand, though controlled trials remain limited.
The bigger picture
Pediatric cannabis medicine is a rapidly developing but evidence-scarce field. This study adds to the small body of evidence suggesting CBD may help with motor symptoms in children, complementing the better-established evidence for CBD in pediatric epilepsy.
Questions still open
- Would a placebo-controlled trial confirm these benefits? Is the 20:1 or 6:1 ratio more effective? What is the optimal duration of treatment? Are the improvements sustained after stopping treatment?
Common questions
Is this the same CBD used for epilepsy?
Is it safe to give cannabis products to children as young as 1?
Read the original research
Medical Cannabis for Pediatric Moderate to Severe Complex Motor Disorders.
Journal of child neurology, 33(9), 565-571
Citation
Libzon, Stephanie; Schleider, Lihi Bar-Lev; Saban, Naama; Levit, Luda; Tamari, Yulia; Linder, Ilan; Lerman-Sagie, Tally; Blumkin, Lubov. (2018). Medical Cannabis for Pediatric Moderate to Severe Complex Motor Disorders.. Journal of child neurology, 33(9), 565-571. https://doi.org/10.1177/0883073818773028
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