Medical cannabis has led to patient-reported improvements in several symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS), according to research presented at the 32nd Annual Meeting of the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers, held May 30-June 2, 2018, in Nashville, Tennessee.
This ongoing, retrospective chart review includes approximately 160 subjects with MS who are using medical cannabis to manage their symptoms. The researchers are studying outcomes using subject-reported metrics such as Becks Depression, Zung Self-Rating Anxiety, MOCA, and medical pain.
The researchers will continuously evaluate data using statistical analysis in order to improve percentiles on outcomes in the study. The outcomes reported by subjects are analyzed in comparison with baseline. Differing formulations and ratios of the subjects’ medical cannabis regimens have also been accounted for, though further information about ratios of CBD and TCH are subject to change due to continued ongoing research. The review researchers are looking specifically at responses concerning muscle spasms, difficulty sleeping, restless legs, headache, cognition, appetite, depression, anxiety, fatigue, and pain.
The researchers concluded that “[the] use of [medical cannabis] for symptom management for patients diagnosed with MS is becoming more widely accepted. This study, although subjective, demonstrates patient-reported benefits in all of the above-measured metrics. Additional studies can help confirm these results.”
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Reference
McCormack KE, Mazhari AC. Multiple sclerosis and use of medical cannabis: a retrospective review evaluating symptom outcomes. Presented at: 2018 CMSC Annual Meeting. May 30-June 2, 2018; Nashville, TN. Abstract SX06.
