Multiple sclerosis and extract of cannabis: results of the MUSEC trial

John Peter Zajicek, Jeremy C Hobart, Anita Slade, David Barnes, Paul G Mattison, MUSEC Research Group

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is associated with chronic symptoms, including muscle stiffness, spasms, pain and insomnia. Here we report the results of the Multiple Sclerosis and Extract of Cannabis (MUSEC) study that aimed to substantiate the patient based findings of previous studies.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with stable MS at 22 UK centres were randomised to oral cannabis extract (CE) (N=144) or placebo (N=135), stratified by centre, walking ability and use of antispastic medication. This double blind, placebo controlled, phase III study had a screening period, a 2 week dose titration phase from 5 mg to a maximum of 25 mg of tetrahydrocannabinol daily and a 10 week maintenance phase. The primary outcome measure was a category rating scale (CRS) measuring patient reported change in muscle stiffness from baseline. Further CRSs assessed body pain, spasms and sleep quality. Three validated MS specific patient reported outcome measures assessed aspects of spasticity, physical and psychological impact, and walking ability.

RESULTS: The rate of relief from muscle stiffness after 12 weeks was almost twice as high with CE than with placebo (29.4% vs. 15.7%; OR 2.26; 95% CI 1.24 to 4.13; p=0.004, one sided). Similar results were found after 4 weeks and 8 weeks, and also for all further CRSs. Results from the MS scales supported these findings.

CONCLUSION: The study met its primary objective to demonstrate the superiority of CE over placebo in the treatment of muscle stiffness in MS. This was supported by results for secondary efficacy variables. Adverse events in participants treated with CE were consistent with the known side effects of cannabinoids. No new safety concerns were observed.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT00552604.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1125-32
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry
Volume83
Issue number11
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Nov 2012

Keywords

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Dronabinol
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Multiple Sclerosis
  • Muscle Spasticity
  • Muscle Tonus
  • Pain
  • Phytotherapy
  • Plant Extracts
  • Self Report
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Sleep
  • Walking

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