Pain intensity of chronic non-cancer patients was reduced by cannabinoids consumption , but effect sizes were small .
Efficacy for neuropathic and non-neuropathic pain was similar
There is growing interest in using cannabinoids for chronic pain .
We performed a systematic review and meta- analysis of r and omized controlled trials to evaluate the analgesic efficacy and adverse effects of cannabinoids for chronic non-cancer pain .
Smoked Medicinal Cannabis for Neuropathic Pain in HIV: A Randomized, Crossover Clinical Trial
Despite management with opioids and other pain modifying therapies , neuropathic pain continues to reduce the quality of life and daily functioning in HIV-infected individuals . Cannabinoid receptors in the central and peripheral nervous systems have been shown to modulate pain perception . We conducted a clinical trial to assess the impact of smoked cannabis on neuropathic pain in HIV . This was a phase II , double-blind , placebo-controlled , crossover trial of analgesia with smoked cannabis in HIV-associated distal sensory predominant polyneuropathy ( DSPN ) . Eligible subjects had neuropathic pain refractory to at least two previous analgesic classes ; they continued on their pre study analgesic regimens throughout the trial . Regulatory considerations dictated that subjects smoke under direct observation in a hospital setting . Treatments were placebo and active cannabis ranging in potency between 1 and 8 % Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol , four times daily for 5 consecutive days during each of 2 treatment weeks , separated by a 2-week washout . The primary outcome was change in pain intensity as measured by the Descriptor Differential Scale ( DDS ) from a pretreatment baseline to the end of each treatment week . Secondary measures included assessment s of mood and daily functioning . Of 127 volunteers screened , 34 eligible subjects enrolled and 28 completed both cannabis and placebo treatments . Among the completers , pain relief was greater with cannabis than placebo ( median difference in DDS pain intensity change , 3.3 points , effect size=0.60 ; p=0.016 ) . The proportions of subjects achieving at least 30 % pain relief  with cannabis versus placebo were 0.46 ( 95%CI 0.28 , 0.65 ) and 0.18 ( 0.03 , 0.32 ) . Mood and daily functioning improved to a similar extent during both treatment periods . Although most side effects were mild and self-limited , two subjects experienced treatment-limiting toxicities . Smoked cannabis was generally well tolerated and effective when added to concomitant analgesic therapy in patients with medically refractory pain due to HIV DSPN
Pain intensity of chronic non-cancer patients was reduced by cannabinoids consumption , but effect sizes were small .
Efficacy for neuropathic and non-neuropathic pain was similar
There is growing interest in using cannabinoids for chronic pain .
We performed a systematic review and meta- analysis of r and omized controlled trials to evaluate the analgesic efficacy and adverse effects of cannabinoids for chronic non-cancer pain .