A marijuana-derived medicine containing THC and CBD, may improve not only spasticity but also sleep, bladder function, walking ability and muscle spasm severity among people with multiple sclerosis, according to a study published in Medical Sciences.

Researchers from Semmelweis University and other Hungarian institutions examined whether nabiximols, a cannabis-based medicinal spray, provides benefits beyond its established use for treating moderate to severe multiple sclerosis-related spasticity.

The review included 49 articles, with 25 studies involving 2,949 patients included in the statistical analysis. Nabiximols was administered as an add-on treatment alongside patients’ existing multiple sclerosis medications.

Researchers found statistically significant improvements in the perceived severity and burden of muscle spasms, bladder function and sleep disruption.

Patients also completed timed walking tests covering either 10 meters or 25 feet. When the results were combined, nabiximols use was associated with an average reduction of 5.31 seconds in completion time, indicating a potential improvement in walking ability.

The analysis did not find a statistically significant reduction in the number of spasms patients experienced each day, although most individual studies reported results favoring nabiximols.

Patients receiving the medicine for more than one month were also 69% more likely than those in control groups to report an overall improvement in their condition. The proportion classified as responders increased from 31% during the first month to 37% after one month, raising the possibility that the standard four-week evaluation period may not be long enough to identify every patient who could benefit.

Researchers said the findings support the “spasticity-plus” concept, which views spasticity, sleep problems, bladder dysfunction and impaired mobility as interconnected symptoms that may respond to a treatment targeting the cannabinoid system.

The researchers said the results should be considered exploratory and require confirmation through larger, well-controlled clinical trials.