Does Cannabis-based Medicine Improve Pain and Sleep Quality in Patients With Traumatic Brachial Plexus Injuries? A Triple-blind, Crossover, Randomized Controlled Trial
Abstract
Background After traumatic brachial plexus injuries, despite treatment with appropriate medications, some patients experience uncontrollable pain, which can be devastating. Cannabis-based medicine is considered to have pain-relieving benefits in this situation, but the evidence is limited. Questions/purposes Is cannabis-based medicine effective compared with the placebo in (1) reducing pain (measured by the VAS for pain) and neuropathic pain (measured by the DN4 questionnaire), and (2) improving sleep quality (measured by the VAS for sleep quality) in patients with traumatic brachial plexus injury? Methods This prospective, triple-blinded (the researcher administering the substance, the patients, and the evaluator were all blinded to the substance used), two-period crossover, placebo-controlled, randomized controlled trial was conducted at a single center. Between January 2020 and January 2022, we treated 147 patients for neuropathic pain related to a traumatic brachial plexus injury. Our inclusion criteria were age between 20 and 60 years and moderate-to-severe pain (VAS for pain equal to or greater than 4 of 10 for more than 6 months), even with the use of appropriate medications. Based on these criteria, 20% (30) of patients were eligible. They were randomly allocated to receive either cannabis-based medicine followed by the placebo or vice versa. Fifteen patients received cannabis-based medicine first, and 15 patients received the placebo first. The groups did not differ…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a randomized trial, done in people. Its evidence level is 2 of 5 (High · randomized trial). Randomized trials of a reasonable size are the strongest single-study design. Reported size: 147 participants or records.
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