Abstract
Objective
The objective of this paper is to review the available literature regarding the use
of cannabis and cannabinoids in adult oncologic pain management.
Design and Data Sources
A integrative review was conducted on March 1, 2018 using PubMed, MEDLINE, CINAHL,
Embase, and Scopus. A snowball method was used to extract studies included in systematic
reviews that were not included in the primary literature search.
Review Method
Articles reviewed address the use of cannabinoids or cannabis for pain management
in oncology patients, either as stand- alone or adjuvant therapy.
Results
The final number of articles included is nine articles. Of the nine studies reviewed,
eight reviewed the effect of the cannabinoid THC on cancer pain, and one study reviewed
the use of medicinally available whole plant cannabis. The following study types were
included: multiple multi-center, randomized, placebo- controlled trials and two prospective
observational survey studies.
Results and Conclusions
Of the eight studies that reviewed the effect of the cannabinoid THC, five found THC
to be more effective than placebo, one found THC to be more effective than placebo
in American patients but ineffective in patients from other countries, and two found
THC to be no more effective than placebo. The study that reviewed the effect of the
whole plant cannabis found that there was a significant decrease in pain among those
patients smoking cannabis.
Nursing Practice Implications
The lack of evidence in this field of research suggests a need to change policy surrounding
cannabis research.
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: December 06, 2018
Accepted:
September 14,
2018
Received in revised form:
September 12,
2018
Received:
April 24,
2018
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Identification
Copyright
© 2018 American Society for Pain Management Nursing. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
