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. 2024 Nov 5;10(4):20552173241282379. doi: 10.1177/20552173241282379

Table 1.

Included study (design and results).

Author Year Country Study design Study population Age Gender Cannabinoid type Study duration Disease duration EDSS Disease type Age at diagnosis NRS: numeric rating scale for spasticity Modified Ashworth Scale
Before After Before After
Vecchio et al. 15 2020 Italy Nonrandomized trial 15 55.5 ± 5.2 11 F, 4 M Nabiximols 6 weeks 17.4 ± 6.2 Median (range)
6 (2–8)
All progressive Median (range)
5 (1–10)
Median (range)
2 (0–8)
Median (range)
14 (4–32)
Median (range)
4 (1–16)
Koehler et al. 16 2013 Germany Observational study 166 69 F, 97 M Nabiximols 9 months 133 SPMS, 20 PPMS, 13 RRMS Mean (range)
7 (4–10) (N = 120)
Mean (range)
3 (0–6) (N = 120)
Collin et al. 17 2010 UK Double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study 337 (experiment: 167/control: 170) Experiment: 48 ± 10.06/Control: 47.1 ± 10.15 Experiment: 106 F, 61 M/control: 101 F, 69 M Nabiximols 15 weeks Experiment: 14.4 ± 8.29/ control: 16 ± 8.48 Experiment: 6 ± 1.56/control: 6 ± 1.50 Mean (SE) experiment: 6.77 (0.14)
control: 6.49 (0.09)
Mean (SE) experiment: week 2: 6.16 (0.10) week 4: 5.81 (0.14) week 6: 5.59 (0.18) week 8: 5.49 (0.14) week 10: 5.35 (0.15) week 12: 5.36 (0.18) week 14: 5.34 (0.18) control: week 2: 5.96 (0.09) week 4: 5.73 (0.14) week 6: 5.64 (0.14) week 8: 5.70 (0.14) week 10: 5.75 (0.16) week 12: 5.59 (0.15) week 14: 5.58 (0.13)
Squintani et al. 18 2016 Italy Nonrandomized trial 19 56.1 ± 8.9 14 F, 5 M Nabiximols 4 weeks 17.6 ± 11.3 6.1 ± 1.4 1.1 ± 0.6 0.7 ± 0.5
Freidel et al. 19 2014 Germany Observational study 33 48.1 21 F, 12 M Nabiximols 6 weeks 4.6 Mean, median (Q1, Q2,Q3, Q4)
6.03, 6 (3,5,7,10)
Mean, median (Q1,Q2, Q3,Q4)
3.61, 3 (1,2,5,7)
Marinelli et al. 20 2016 Italy Nonrandomized trial 36 53.77 ± 10.32 21 F, 15 M Nabiximols 4 weeks 181.28 ± 87.62 months 6.83 ± 0.55 29 SPMS, 6 PPMS, 1 RRMS 6.8 ± 1.7 5.7 ± 2.1
Patti et al. 21 2015 Italy Cohort study 1615 51 ± 9.5 849 F, 766 M Nabiximols 24 weeks 17.5 ± 8.6 Median (range)
6.5 (1.5–9.5)
7.5 ± 1.4 (N = 1597) Week 4: 5.9 ± 1.6 (N = 1432)
week 12: 5.1 ± 1.6 (N = 889)
week 24: 4.8 ± 1.7 (N = 593)
Vaney et al. 22 2004 Switzerland Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled cross-over parallel group study 57 54.9 ± 10 29 F, 28 M Cannabis extract 31 days (14 treatment, 3 washout, 14 placebo) 17 ± 8.4 Median 7 Treatment period: 12.2 ± 6.4
Placebo period: 13.1 ± 6.3 (N = 50)
Treatment period: 11.6 ± 6.5
Placebo period: 11.5 ± 6.1 (N = 50)
Centonze et al. 23 2009 Italy Non randomized trial 20 13 F, 7 M Nabiximols 6 weeks 5.36 ± 1.69 Week 1: 5.86 ± 1.98
Week 2: 5.85 ± 2.5
Week 3: 5.73 ± 2.48
Week 4: 5.56 ± 2.18
Week 5: 5.76 ± 2.1
Week 6: 5.71 ± 2.52
5.14 ± 2.12 Week 1: 5.11 ± 2.12
Week 2: 4.91 ± 2.01
Week 3: 4.97 ± 1.94
Week 4: 4.94 ± 2.02
Week 5: 5.14 ± 1.97
Week 6: 4.91 ± 1.98
Paolicelli et al. 24 2016 Italy Cohort 102 48.8 ± 10.4 52 F, 50 M Nabiximols 40 weeks 19.2 ± 8 6.7 ± 1.1 59 SPMS, 25 RRMS, 10 PPMS, 8 PRMS 8.7 ± 1.3 Month 1: 6.2 ± 1.8
Month 3: 5.9 ± 1.6
Month 6: 6.1 ± 1.4
Year 1: 6.2 ± 1.4
Flachenecker et al. 25 2014 Germany Observational, prospective, multicenter, noninterventional study 52 49.4 ± 8.6 29 F, 23 M Nabiximols 1 year 14.1 ± 8.0 Median (range)
6 (3–8)
34 SPMS, 10 RRMS, 8 PPMS 6.2 ± 1.8 4.6 ± 2.1 (N = 51)
Flachenecker et al. 26 2014 Germany Observational, prospective, multicenter, noninterventional study 276 50.0 ± 9.4 168 F, 108 M Nabiximols 3 months 15.4 ± 9.0 Median (range)
6 (1–9)
168 SPMS, 72 RRMS, 34 PPMS, 2 PRMS 6.1 ± 1.7 Week 4: 5.2 ± 1.9 (N = 210) 3.0 ± 0.8 Week 4: 2.7 ± 0.9 (N = 260)
Week 12: 2.6 ± 1.0 (N = 95)
Sartori et al. 27 2021 Italy Retrospective single-center study 36 53.9 ± 8.7 18 F, 18 M Nabiximols Median (range)
178 (8−447) months
Median (range)
6.75 (2.5−9)
19 SPMS, 9 RRMS, 8 PPMS Median (range)
2 (0–4)
Median (range)
2 (0–4)
Chisari et al. 28 2020 Italy Prospective observational multicenter 1845 50.9 ± 12.3 1226 F, 619 M Nabixomols 18 months 16.3 ± 8.8 Median (Range)
6.5 (4–8.5)
1283 SPMS, 333 PPMS, 229 RRMS 35.9 ± 11.7 7.8 ± 1.7 Week 4: 5.7 ± 1.6 (N = 1502)
Month 3: 5.2 ± 1.4 (N = 1241)
Month 6: 5.0 ± 1.7 (N = 1017)
Month 12: 4.8 ± 1.8 (N = 853)
Month 18: 4.7 ± 2.0 (N = 777)
Lus et al. 29 2018 Italy Open-label, prospective, multicenter, nonpharmacological, randomized, minor interventional, postmarketing authorization pilot project 52 51.9 ± 9.1 32 F, 20 M Nabiximols (chewing gum, cold bottle) 4 weeks 13.2 ± 7.5 6.2 ± 1.4 27 SPMS, 12 RRMS, 11 PPMS, 2 PRMS 6.1 ± 2.2 5.4 ± 2.2 (N = 46)
Novotna et al. 30 2011 UK Nonrandomized trial 331 49.1 ± 9.85 202 F, 129 M Nabiximols 4 weeks 12.3 ± 7.49 6 ± 1.4 6.91 ± 1.25 3.9 ± 1.51
Gustavsen et al. 31 2020 Denmark Observational study 28 (24 THC, 4 CBD) 50 21 F, 7 M Cannabis oil (THC rich, CBD rich) 4 weeks Median (range) 11 (1–28) Median (range)
4.5 (2–9)
15 RRMS, 8 SPMS, 5 PPMS Median (range)
THC: 6 (1–10)
CBD: 6 (4–8)
Median (range)
THC: 2.5 (0–7) (N = 18)
CBD: 2 (2–2) (N = 3)
D’hooghe et al. 32 2021 Belgium Retrospective study 238 Nabiximols 12 weeks 8.1 ± 1.08 Week 4: 5.2 ± 1.85 (N = 229)
Week 8: 4.6 ± 1.69 (N = 188)
Week 12: 4.1 ± 1.78 (N = 96)
Messina et al. 33 2017 Italy Observational study 1597 51 841 F, 756 M Nabiximols 6 months 17.5 ± 8.6 Median (range)
6.5 (1.5–9.5)
1029 SPMS, 311 RRMS, 255 PPMS 7.5 ± 1.4 Month 1: 5.9 ± 1.6
Month 3: 5.1 ± 1.6
Month 6: 4.8 ± 1.7
Serpell et al. 34 2012 UK Open-label trial 146 50 ± 9 94 F, 52 M Nabiximols 52 weeks Mean (SEM)
5.68 (0.22)
Mean (SEM)
3.85 (0.25)
Corey-Bloom et al. 35 2012 USA Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover design 30 51 ± 8 19 F, 11 M Smoked cannabis 2 weeks 8.5 ± 7.4 5.3 ± 1.5 20 SPMS, 10 RRMS Mean (95%CI) treatment: 9.13 (8.21–10.07)
placebo: 8.92 (8.03–9.79)
Mean (95%CI) treatment: 6.18 (5.13–7.21)
placebo: 8.71 (7.57–9.71)
Vermersch et al. 36 2016 Italy Observational study 433 50.4 ± 10.4 239 F, 194 M Nabiximols 3 months 13.7 ± 7.9 5.94 ± 1.38 223 RRMS, 137 RRMS, 72 PPMS 6.9 ± 1.9 (N = 394) 5.3 ± 1.8 (N = 253)
Maniscalco et al. 37 2017 Italy Observational study 15 56.1 ± 8.6 7 F, 8 M Nabiximols 4 weeks Median (range) 91 (4–276) months Median (range)
8 (4–10)
Median (range)
6 (2–8)
Carotenuto et al. 38 2016 US Nonrandomized trial 10 51.10 ± 9.96 10 F, 10 M Nabiximols 1 year Median (range) 9.21 (2–39) 4.70 ± 1.08 12 progressive, 8 relapsing 37.28 ± 13.61 8 ± 1.93 (N = 10) 5.50 ± 2.45 (N = 10)
Coghe et al. 39 2015 Italy Nonrandomized trial 20 49.6 ± 9.11 11 F, 9 M Nabiximol 1 month 5.3 ± 0.81 4 RRMS, 1 PRMS, 1 SPMS 7.1 ± 1.22 5.24 ± 1.39
Ferrante et al. 40 2019 Italy Retrospective cohort study 37 56 ± 9 26 F, 11 M Nabiximols 7.86 ± 1.00 5.66 ± 1.04
Patti et al. 41 2022 Italy Observational study 1138 51.5 ± 9.8 621 F, 517 M Nabiximols 18 month 19.8 ± 10.5 6.5 ± 1.16 761 SPMS, 193 RRMS, 183 PPMS 7.8 ± 1.25 Week 4: 5.9 ± 1.5 Month 3: 5.3 ± 1.3 (N = 760)Month 6: 5.1 ± 1.2 (N = 653) Month 12: 5.1 ± 1.2 (N = 473) Month 18: 5.1 ± 1.2 (N = 397)
Pau et al. 42 2023 Italy Nonrandomized trial 13 51.2 ± 11.8 9 F, 4 M Nabixiomols 4 weeks 5.4 ± 1.6 11 SPMS, 1 RRMS, 1 PPMS 6.3 ± 1.3 4.2 ± 1.3
Guger et al. 43 2023 Austria Prospective observational study 55 52.5 ± 9.6 33 F, 22 M Nabiximols 3 month 15.1 ± 9.1 5.3 ± 1.3 28 SPMS, 18 PPMS, 9 RRMS 6.4 ± 1.8 Month 1: 4.8 ± 1.7 (N = 43)
Month 3: 3.9 ± 2.0 (N = 40)
Gajofatto et al. 44 2023 Italy Nonrandomized trial 12 Median (range)
51 (36–73)
5 F, 7 M Nabiximols 8 weeks Median (range)
21.5 (10–37)
Median (range)
6 (4.5–8)
10 SPMS, 2 RRMS Median (range)
8 (5–9)
Median (range)
6.5(4–8)
Killestein et al. 45 2002 The Netherland Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, twofold crossover study 16 (each group 8) 46 ± 7.9 Dronabinol 4 weeks 15 ± 10.7 6.2 ± 1.2 10 SPMS, 6 PPMS Placebo: 1.15 (0.94–1.37) plant extract: 1.20 (0.97–1.39) drobinidol: 1.13 (0.92–1.36) Placebo: 1.03 (0.81–1.23) plant extract: 0.94 (0.74–1.14) drobinidol: 0.97 (0.77–1.18)

CBD: cannabidiol; EDSS: Expanded Disability Status Scale; F: female; M, male; NRS: Numeric Rating Scale; PPMS: primary progressive multiple sclerosis; PRMS: progressive-relapsing multiple sclerosis; RRMS: relapsing-remitting mustiple sclerosis; SE: standard error; SEM: standard error of the mean; SPMS: slowly progressive multiple sclerosis; THC: tetrahydrocannabinol.