Nabiximols in Multiple Sclerosis: Beyond Spasticity—An Exploratory Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Symptomatic Outcomes

Background/Objectives: Nabiximols, a standardized extract of Cannabis sativa, has been approved as an add-on therapy for patients with moderate to severe spasticity associated with multiple sclerosis (MS). Moreover, current Italian treatment algorithms suggest that cannabis-based therapies may have further relevance in the management of MS. The aim of our systematic review and meta-analysis was to assess the effectiveness of nabiximols in relieving symptoms other than spasticity in adult MS patients. Methods: A systematic search was conducted in Web of Science, MEDLINE (via PubMed), Cochrane CENTRAL and Embase on September 10, 2025. Study selection was performed according to the predefined PROSPERO protocol (CRD42022329952). Data were combined into a common denominator and examined using a random-effects model with meta-regression expressed as mean difference (MD) and a 95% confidence interval (CI). Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias instrument (RoB2) and the Risk Of Bias In Non-randomized Studies of Interventions (ROBINS-I) tool. Results: Of the 49 eligible articles, 25 were included in the statistical analysis (2949 patients). Significant improvements in spasm quality (MD = −16.87; 95% CI = (−29.75)–(−3.99)), bladder function (MD = −16.38; 95% CI = (−22.18)–(−10.58)), sleep disruption (MD = −15.75; 95% CI = (−22.02)–(−9.49)) and gait function (timed walk MD(s) = −5.31; 95% CI(s) = (−9.88)–(−0.74)) were observed. Time-dependency was not significant. The subject global impression of change (SGIC) improved significantly after the first month (odds ratio (OR) = 1.69; 95% CI = (1.30)–(2.18)). Conclusion: Beyond spasticity, nabiximols may represent a signal of benefit for bladder function, sleep disruption, spasm quality, and gait function in MS, in line with the “spasticity-plus” concept. However, the evidence certainty was low to very low, and these findings should be considered exploratory.

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Publication Details

Journal
Medical Sciences
Published
2026-06-25
DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/medsci14030346
Primary Topic
Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00

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article

Nabiximols in Multiple Sclerosis: Beyond Spasticity—An Exploratory Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Symptomatic Outcomes

Dorottya Gergő, István László Horváth, Dóra Mátis, Gábor Fazekas et al.
Medical Sciences
Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research
article

Nabiximols in Multiple Sclerosis: Beyond Spasticity—An Exploratory Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Symptomatic Outcomes

Dorottya Gergő, István László Horváth, Dóra Mátis, Gábor Fazekas, Péter Fehérvári, Dénes Kleiner, Dezső Csupor, Katalin Lugosi, Péter Hegyi, R N Nagy
article en

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Nabiximols, a standardized extract of Cannabis sativa, has been approved as an add-on therapy for patients with moderate to severe spasticity associated with multiple sclerosis (MS). Moreover, current Italian treatment algorithms suggest that cannabis-based therapies may have further relevance in the management of MS. The aim of our systematic review and meta-analysis was to assess the effectiveness of nabiximols in relieving symptoms other than spasticity in adult MS patients. Methods: A systematic search was conducted in Web of Science, MEDLINE (via PubMed), Cochrane CENTRAL and Embase on September 10, 2025. Study selection was performed according to the predefined PROSPERO protocol (CRD42022329952). Data were combined into a common denominator and examined using a random-effects model with meta-regression expressed as mean difference (MD) and a 95% confidence interval (CI). Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias instrument (RoB2) and the Risk Of Bias In Non-randomized Studies of Interventions (ROBINS-I) tool. Results: Of the 49 eligible articles, 25 were included in the statistical analysis (2949 patients). Significant improvements in spasm quality (MD = −16.87; 95% CI = (−29.75)–(−3.99)), bladder function (MD = −16.38; 95% CI = (−22.18)–(−10.58)), sleep disruption (MD = −15.75; 95% CI = (−22.02)–(−9.49)) and gait function (timed walk MD(s) = −5.31; 95% CI(s) = (−9.88)–(−0.74)) were observed. Time-dependency was not significant. The subject global impression of change (SGIC) improved significantly after the first month (odds ratio (OR) = 1.69; 95% CI = (1.30)–(2.18)). Conclusion: Beyond spasticity, nabiximols may represent a signal of benefit for bladder function, sleep disruption, spasm quality, and gait function in MS, in line with the “spasticity-plus” concept. However, the evidence certainty was low to very low, and these findings should be considered exploratory.

Medical SciencesVol. 14(3)
Semmelweis University (HU), University of Szeged (HU), Heim Pál Országos Gyermekgyógyászati Intézet (HU), University of Veterinary Medicine (HU), Bajcsy-Zsilinszky Kórház és Rendelőintézet (HU), University of Pecs (HU)
Richter Gedeon Talentum Alapítvány
Openalex Percentile: Top 8%
Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research
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