Evaluating Vaporized Cannabinoid Therapy in Multiple Sclerosis: Findings from a Prospective Single-Center Clinical Study

<b>Introduction:</b> Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is associated with a wide range of debilitating symptoms, and conventional therapies often fail to adequately address the disease's multifaceted challenges. Cannabidiol (CBD) 13.0% + Delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) 9.0% (CBD13/THC9), a vaporized cannabis-based medicinal product, presents a novel therapeutic option for managing MS symptoms. <b>Methods:</b> This single-center longitudinal study followed 69 MS patients over a six-month period. Participants were assessed at treatment initiation and at three- and six-month intervals. Key measures included muscle spasticity, urine bladder dysfunction, and the evaluation of disability progression rate. The evaluation included the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS), the Post Void Residual (PVR) volume, and the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS). <b>Results:</b> Significant improvement was observed across all outcome assessments. The EDSS score was decreased over time (<i>p</i> = 0.009), indicating a slight reduction in disability progression rate, while MAS scores showed substantial improvement in muscle spasticity (<i>p</i> < 0.001). Urine bladder function improved significantly, with PVR volume showing notable improvement between baseline and the six-month assessment (<i>p</i> < 0.001). Correlation analyses revealed that a gradual increase in vaporized CBD13/THC9 dose was correlated with slightly lower EDSS scores, while the adverse effects were negatively associated with the frequency of cannabinoid use. Finally, patients who were smokers used CBD13/THC9 more frequently. <b>Conclusions:</b> The vaporized CBD13/THC9 formulation demonstrated notable efficacy in slightly improving disability progression rate via reduction in muscle spasticity and urine bladder dysfunction in MS patients. This highlights its addon therapeutic value during rehabilitation in MS patients with debilitating disability symptoms.

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Journal
Journal of Clinical Medicine
Published
2025-03-20
DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14062121
Citations
1
Primary Topic
Multiple Sclerosis Research Studies
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
1.47
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article

Evaluating Vaporized Cannabinoid Therapy in Multiple Sclerosis: Findings from a Prospective Single-Center Clinical Study

Christina Zompola, Georgios K. Tsivgoulis, John S. Tzartos, Vasileios Giannopapas et al.
1 citations
Journal of Clinical Medicine
Multiple Sclerosis Research Studies
1.47
article

Evaluating Vaporized Cannabinoid Therapy in Multiple Sclerosis: Findings from a Prospective Single-Center Clinical Study

Christina Zompola, Georgios K. Tsivgoulis, John S. Tzartos, Vasileios Giannopapas, Vassiliki Smyrni, Dimitrios K. Kitsos, Sotirios Giannopoulos, Konstantina Stavrogianni, Athanasios K. Chasiotis, Evangelia‐Makrina Dimitriadou, Alexandra Akrivaki
article en
1 citations

Abstract

<b>Introduction:</b> Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is associated with a wide range of debilitating symptoms, and conventional therapies often fail to adequately address the disease's multifaceted challenges. Cannabidiol (CBD) 13.0% + Delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) 9.0% (CBD13/THC9), a vaporized cannabis-based medicinal product, presents a novel therapeutic option for managing MS symptoms. <b>Methods:</b> This single-center longitudinal study followed 69 MS patients over a six-month period. Participants were assessed at treatment initiation and at three- and six-month intervals. Key measures included muscle spasticity, urine bladder dysfunction, and the evaluation of disability progression rate. The evaluation included the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS), the Post Void Residual (PVR) volume, and the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS). <b>Results:</b> Significant improvement was observed across all outcome assessments. The EDSS score was decreased over time (<i>p</i> = 0.009), indicating a slight reduction in disability progression rate, while MAS scores showed substantial improvement in muscle spasticity (<i>p</i> < 0.001). Urine bladder function improved significantly, with PVR volume showing notable improvement between baseline and the six-month assessment (<i>p</i> < 0.001). Correlation analyses revealed that a gradual increase in vaporized CBD13/THC9 dose was correlated with slightly lower EDSS scores, while the adverse effects were negatively associated with the frequency of cannabinoid use. Finally, patients who were smokers used CBD13/THC9 more frequently. <b>Conclusions:</b> The vaporized CBD13/THC9 formulation demonstrated notable efficacy in slightly improving disability progression rate via reduction in muscle spasticity and urine bladder dysfunction in MS patients. This highlights its addon therapeutic value during rehabilitation in MS patients with debilitating disability symptoms.

Journal of Clinical MedicineVol. 14(6)
University of Ioannina (GR), National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (GR), University of West Attica (GR)
Good health and well-being
Openalex Percentile: Top 22%
Multiple Sclerosis Research Studies
1.47
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