Skip to the content
  • 719-347-5400
  • info@realmofcaring.org
  • Research
    • Research Library
    • Participate
      • Long-Term CBD Study
      • Observational Research Registry
      • Women’s Veteran Study
  • Resources
    • Client Portal
      • Dosing & Administration
      • Client Education Series
      • Client F.A.Q.
        • Client Additional Questions
      • For Pets
      • Glossary
      • Locate a Healthcare Professional
      • Medical Cannabis Cards
      • Printable Resources
    • Healthcare Portal
      • Dosing & Administration
      • Join Our List of Healthcare Professionals
      • Practitioner Education
    • Events
      • Book Club
      • Virtual Support Groups
    • Merch Shop
  • Blog
    • Cannabis Education
    • Client Stories
  • About
    • Who We Are
    • In the News
    • Our Supporters
    • Financials
  • Contact Us
    • Call or Email
    • Request an Appointment
    • Volunteer
  • Research
    • Research Library
    • Participate
      • Long-Term CBD Study
      • Observational Research Registry
      • Women’s Veteran Study
  • Resources
    • Client Portal
      • Dosing & Administration
      • Client Education Series
      • Client F.A.Q.
        • Client Additional Questions
      • For Pets
      • Glossary
      • Locate a Healthcare Professional
      • Medical Cannabis Cards
      • Printable Resources
    • Healthcare Portal
      • Dosing & Administration
      • Join Our List of Healthcare Professionals
      • Practitioner Education
    • Events
      • Book Club
      • Virtual Support Groups
    • Merch Shop
  • Blog
    • Cannabis Education
    • Client Stories
  • About
    • Who We Are
    • In the News
    • Our Supporters
    • Financials
  • Contact Us
    • Call or Email
    • Request an Appointment
    • Volunteer
  • Donate
  • Register
  • Login
  • Research
    • Research Library
    • Participate
      • Long-Term CBD Study
      • Observational Research Registry
      • Women’s Veteran Study
  • Resources
    • Client Portal
      • Dosing & Administration
      • Client Education Series
      • Client F.A.Q.
        • Client Additional Questions
      • For Pets
      • Glossary
      • Locate a Healthcare Professional
      • Medical Cannabis Cards
      • Printable Resources
    • Healthcare Portal
      • Dosing & Administration
      • Join Our List of Healthcare Professionals
      • Practitioner Education
    • Events
      • Book Club
      • Virtual Support Groups
    • Merch Shop
  • Blog
    • Cannabis Education
    • Client Stories
  • About
    • Who We Are
    • In the News
    • Our Supporters
    • Financials
  • Contact Us
    • Call or Email
    • Request an Appointment
    • Volunteer
  • Research
    • Research Library
    • Participate
      • Long-Term CBD Study
      • Observational Research Registry
      • Women’s Veteran Study
  • Resources
    • Client Portal
      • Dosing & Administration
      • Client Education Series
      • Client F.A.Q.
        • Client Additional Questions
      • For Pets
      • Glossary
      • Locate a Healthcare Professional
      • Medical Cannabis Cards
      • Printable Resources
    • Healthcare Portal
      • Dosing & Administration
      • Join Our List of Healthcare Professionals
      • Practitioner Education
    • Events
      • Book Club
      • Virtual Support Groups
    • Merch Shop
  • Blog
    • Cannabis Education
    • Client Stories
  • About
    • Who We Are
    • In the News
    • Our Supporters
    • Financials
  • Contact Us
    • Call or Email
    • Request an Appointment
    • Volunteer
  • Donate
  • Register
  • Login

Research Library

A-Z Conditions  Participate in ORR

Systematic review of systematic reviews for medical cannabinoids

  • Journal : Canadian Family Physician
  • Publication Year : 2018
  • Authors : G. Michael Allan, Caitlin R. Finley, Joey Ton, Danielle Perry, Jamil Ramji, Karyn Crawford, Adrienne J. Lindblad, Christina Korownyk, & Michael R. Kolber

Abstract

Objective To determine the effects of medical cannabinoids on pain, spasticity, and nausea and vomiting, and to identify adverse events.

Data sources MEDLINE, the Cochrane Database, and the references of included studies were searched.

Study selection Systematic reviews with 2 or more randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that focused on medical cannabinoids for pain, spasticity, or nausea and vomiting were included. For adverse events, any meta-analysis for the conditions listed or of adverse events of cannabinoids was included.

Synthesis From 1085 articles, 31 relevant systematic reviews were identified including 23 for pain, 5 for spasticity, 6 for nausea and vomiting, and 12 for adverse events. Meta-analysis of 15 RCTs found more patients taking cannabinoids attained at least a 30% pain reduction: risk ratio (RR) of 1.37 (95% CI 1.14 to 1.64), number needed to treat (NNT) of 11. Sensitivity analysis found study size and duration affected findings (subgroup differences, P ≤ .03), with larger and longer RCTs finding no benefit. Meta-analysis of 4 RCTs found a positive global impression of change in spasticity (RR = 1.45, 95% CI 1.08 to 1.95, NNT = 7). Other results were not consistently statistically significant, but when positive, a 30% or more improvement in spasticity had an NNT of 10. Meta-analysis of 7 RCTs for control of nausea and vomiting after chemotherapy found an RR of 3.60 (95% CI 2.55 to 5.09) with an NNT of 3. Adverse effects caused more patients to stop treatment (number needed to harm [NNH] of 8 to 22). Individual adverse events were very common, including dizziness (NNH = 5), sedation (NNH = 5), confusion (NNH = 15), and dissociation (NNH = 20). “Feeling high” was reported in 35% to 70% of users. The GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation) evaluation reduced evidence ratings of benefit to low or very low.

Conclusion There is reasonable evidence that cannabinoids improve nausea and vomiting after chemotherapy. They might improve spasticity (primarily in multiple sclerosis). There is some uncertainty about whether cannabinoids improve pain, but if they do, it is neuropathic pain and the benefit is likely small. Adverse effects are very common, meaning benefits would need to be considerable to warrant trials of therapy.

Read the Full Article

Share This:

Share on X (Twitter) Share on Facebook Share on LinkedIn Share on Email
PrevPreviousAssociation of Cannabis Use With Cardiovascular Outcomes Among US Adults
NextCannabis Use in Patients with Fibromyalgia: Effect on Symptoms Relief and Health-Related Quality of LifeNext

Conditions:

  • General Information

Research Information:

Research Keywords:

  • ∆9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), Cannabidiol (CBD), Cannabinoid/s

Search the Research Library >

Follow Us:

Facebook Twitter Youtube

REGISTER WITH RoC TODAY!

Realm of Caring focuses on research, education, building community, and improving quality of life. We are an educational resource for consumers, physicians, scientists, governments and the media.
Register now
  • PO Box 15224, Colorado Springs, CO 80935
  • 719-347-5400
  • info@realmofcaring.org

Copyright © 2024 / Realm of Caring Foundation, Inc

  • Privacy
  • Disclaimer

Open the following in new tabs if you:

If you are already a user: Client Login

If you are not, then register: Client Registration

Once Logged in, click below to refresh the page.