Study register · detail
Mixed
GRADE
High
77 citations
Samplek = 23 Studien
Durationunclear
ControlPlacebo or control groups
EndpointMotor/non-motor PD symptoms
Blindingunklar
DesignMeta-Analyse
Key finding
No compelling evidence of cannabis benefit in Parkinson's disease, but potential benefits identified for tremor, anxiety, pain, sleep quality and quality of life.
Summary
Systematic review and meta-analysis on cannabis in Parkinson's disease; k=23 studies (5 RCTs + 18 non-randomised studies). No convincing evidence for a general cannabis recommendation in PD, but potential benefits identified for tremor, anxiety, pain, sleep quality and quality of life. Call for further well-designed RCTs in these specific areas.
P
PopulationParkinson's disease patients (PD) – pooled sample from randomised and non-randomised studies
I
InterventionCannabis (various forms/cannabinoids) for the treatment of Parkinson's disease
C
ControlPlacebo or control groups (in randomised studies)
O
OutcomeNo convincing evidence for a general recommendation; potential benefit for tremor, anxiety, pain, sleep quality and quality of life
Confidence in the evidence
High
The highest of four GRADE levels, the effect estimate is very reliable.
Quality profile
Sample size
★★★★★
Blinding
—
Effect size
Mixed
Citations / year
★★★★★
Authors
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Abstract
The legalization of cannabis in many countries has allowed many Parkinson's disease (PD) patients to turn to cannabis as a treatment. As such there is a growing interest from the PD community to be properly guided by evidence regarding potential treatment benefits of cannabis. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to compile the best available evidence to help guide patients and their family, clinicians and researchers make informed decisions. A systematic search of the literature was conducted in June 2021. Five randomized controlled studies and eighteen non-randomized studies investigated cannabis treatment in PD patients. No compelling evidence was found to recommend the use of cannabis in PD patients. However, a potential benefit was identified with respect to alleviation of PD related tremor, anxiety, pain, improvement of sleep quality and quality of life. Given the relative paucity of well-designed randomized studies, there is an identified need for further investigation, particularly in these areas.
The impediment to action advances action.