Medical Cannabis Improved Pain and Spasticity in Most MS Patients and Reduced Opioid Use
In a retrospective review of 141 MS patients using medical cannabis, 72% reported pain improvement, 48% had spasticity relief, and opioid use dropped significantly among those previously prescribed them.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Pain improvement was reported by 72% of patients, spasticity relief by 48%, and sleep improvement by 40%. Among patients prescribed opioid analgesics, daily morphine milligram equivalents decreased significantly (P=.01) after starting medical cannabis. Fatigue was the most common adverse event, reported by 11%.
Key Numbers
N=141 MS patients. Pain improvement: 72%. Spasticity relief: 48%. Sleep improvement: 40%. Opioid reduction: significant (P=.01). Most common adverse event: fatigue (11%).
How They Did This
Retrospective medical record review of 141 MS patients receiving medical cannabis at a neurology outpatient clinic, with data collected for up to 4 follow-up appointments after MC initiation.
Why This Research Matters
MS patients often struggle to manage pain, spasticity, and sleep with standard medications. The significant reduction in opioid use is particularly relevant given the opioid crisis, suggesting medical cannabis may help MS patients reduce reliance on opioid painkillers.
The Bigger Picture
This adds to growing evidence that medical cannabis may play a role in MS symptom management, particularly for pain and spasticity. The opioid-sparing effect aligns with findings from other chronic pain populations.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Retrospective design without a control group. No placebo comparison. Self-reported symptom improvement. Single clinic setting. Decreases in muscle relaxant and benzodiazepine use did not reach significance.
Questions This Raises
- ?Would a randomized controlled trial confirm the opioid-sparing effect of medical cannabis in MS patients?
- ?Which cannabis formulations and doses are most effective for MS symptoms?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- 72% of MS patients reported pain improvement after starting medical cannabis
- Evidence Grade:
- Retrospective chart review without a control group, but meaningful sample size and significant opioid reduction finding.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2023.
- Original Title:
- Multiple Sclerosis and Use of Medical Cannabis: A Retrospective Review of a Neurology Outpatient Population.
- Published In:
- International journal of MS care, 25(3), 111-117 (2023)
- Authors:
- Rainka, Michelle M(2), Aladeen, Traci S(2), Mattle, Anna G(2), Lewandowski, Emily, Vanini, Denis, McCormack, Katelyn, Mechtler, Laszlo
- Database ID:
- RTHC-04863
Evidence Hierarchy
Frequently Asked Questions
Does medical cannabis help MS symptoms?
In this study, 72% of MS patients reported pain improvement, 48% reported spasticity relief, and 40% reported better sleep after starting medical cannabis.
Did medical cannabis reduce opioid use in MS patients?
Yes. Among patients prescribed opioids, daily morphine equivalents decreased significantly (P=.01) after initiating medical cannabis.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-04863APA
Rainka, Michelle M; Aladeen, Traci S; Mattle, Anna G; Lewandowski, Emily; Vanini, Denis; McCormack, Katelyn; Mechtler, Laszlo. (2023). Multiple Sclerosis and Use of Medical Cannabis: A Retrospective Review of a Neurology Outpatient Population.. International journal of MS care, 25(3), 111-117. https://doi.org/10.7224/1537-2073.2022-006
MLA
Rainka, Michelle M, et al. "Multiple Sclerosis and Use of Medical Cannabis: A Retrospective Review of a Neurology Outpatient Population.." International journal of MS care, 2023. https://doi.org/10.7224/1537-2073.2022-006
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Multiple Sclerosis and Use of Medical Cannabis: A Retrospect..." RTHC-04863. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/rainka-2023-multiple-sclerosis-and-use
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkTHC research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.