A systematic review found cannabinoids show effectiveness and acceptable safety as add-on therapy for spasticity in multiple sclerosis patients who dont respond to standard treatments.
Neurologists, MS patients, rehabilitation specialists, and cannabinoid therapy researchers.
Effective add-onCannabinoids showed effectiveness for spasticity resistant to standard MS treatments with acceptable safety
What the researchers found
Cannabinoids demonstrated effectiveness in reducing resistant spasticity in MS patients when used as add-on therapy, with an acceptable safety profile, supporting their use when standard treatments are insufficient.
Why it matters
Spasticity is one of the most common and disabling MS symptoms, and many patients dont respond adequately to first-line treatments. Evidence supporting cannabinoids as add-on therapy expands treatment options.
The numbers in context
The systematic review evaluated cannabinoid effectiveness and safety specifically for treatment-resistant spasticity in MS patients.
How the study worked
Systematic review of clinical evidence on cannabinoids as add-on therapy for resistant spasticity in multiple sclerosis.
Who was studied
Multiple sclerosis patients with spasticity resistant to standard treatments.
What this study cannot tell us
Heterogeneity in cannabinoid formulations, doses, and outcome measures across studies; definition of treatment-resistant varies; most studies have moderate sample sizes.
How to read the evidence
Systematic review provides strong evidence synthesis; underlying study quality varies but overall supports effectiveness.
When this study was published
Recent systematic review reflecting current evidence for cannabinoids in MS.
The bigger picture
Cannabinoids (particularly nabiximols/Sativex) represent one of the most evidence-based medical cannabis applications, and this systematic review strengthens the case for their use in treatment-resistant cases.
Replication
Consistent with prior reviews and clinical practice guidelines supporting cannabinoids for MS spasticity.
Funding
Not specified
Conflicts of interest
Not specified
Questions still open
- Which cannabinoid formulations work best for MS spasticity?
- How does add-on cannabinoid therapy compare to switching medications?
- What predicts cannabinoid response in MS spasticity?
Read the original research
Effectiveness and Safety of Cannabinoids as an Add-On Therapy in the Treatment of Resistant Spasticity in Multiple Sclerosis: A Systematic Review.
Cannabis and cannabinoid research, 8(4), 580-588
Citation
Martinez-Paz, Carmen; García-Cabrera, Emilio; Vilches-Arenas, Ángel. (2023). Effectiveness and Safety of Cannabinoids as an Add-On Therapy in the Treatment of Resistant Spasticity in Multiple Sclerosis: A Systematic Review.. Cannabis and cannabinoid research, 8(4), 580-588. https://doi.org/10.1089/can.2022.0254