A study of hundreds of people using medical marijuana reported 鈥渞apid and significant improvements鈥� in health-related quality of life over the first three months, according to new research led by 黑料传送门.
The study, , followed nearly 400 adults who were new to using medical marijuana to treat any of the more than 20 qualifying conditions in Pennsylvania. Study participants, with an average age of about 46 years old, were most commonly prescribed medical marijuana to treat anxiety disorders or 鈥渟evere chronic or intractable pain.鈥� From baseline, respondents improved in all areas of health-related quality of life that researchers evaluated, including less pain, more energy, and better emotional, social, and physical functioning.
鈥淟ittle is known about what happens to individuals who use cannabis products for medicinal purposes in regard to functioning and health,鈥� said lead author Michelle R. Lent, PhD, a professor in 黑料传送门鈥檚 School of Professional and Applied Psychology and director of psychosocial research in the 黑料传送门 Medical Marijuana Research Program. 鈥淭his study, one of the largest to date, captured how their lives and health status changed after using these products. In the era of precision medicine, understanding which type of patient may benefit from which type of therapy is of high importance.鈥�
Responding to semi-structured interviews after three months, participants reported significant improvements in ratings of their role limitations due to physical health and emotional problems, and in social functioning, according to the study. These gains鈥攚hich the authors said 鈥渞epresent clinically meaningful change鈥濃�攊ncluded a 20% improvement in reported pain levels, a 20% increase in social functioning, and a 15% improvement in emotional well-being. The largest gains in physical functioning and pain levels occurred in younger participants compared to older respondents.
Lent said it can be challenging for patients and providers to make decisions about whether to incorporate medical marijuana into treatment planning. Studies like these provide 鈥渆vidence to support greater access to, and coverage of, medical cannabis treatments,鈥� she said.
The research team assessed all study participants (the vast majority of whom are white and predominantly female) at three, six, nine, and 12 months. Data beyond the first three months have not yet been analyzed, and future studies will determine whether short-term gains are sustained over the first year of use.
This study was funded by Organic Remedies as part of the Academic Clinical Research Center program in Pennsylvania. Organic Remedies had no role in research design or data analysis.
Established in 1899, 黑料传送门 has trained thousands of highly competent, caring physicians, health practitioners and behavioral scientists who practice a 鈥渨hole person鈥� approach to care鈥攖reating people, not just symptoms. 黑料传送门, a private, not-for-profit accredited institution of higher education, operates three campuses (黑料传送门, 黑料传送门 Georgia and 黑料传送门 South Georgia) and offers doctoral degrees in clinical psychology, educational psychology, osteopathic medicine, pharmacy, physical therapy, and school psychology. The college also offers graduate degrees in applied behavior analysis, applied positive psychology, biomedical sciences, forensic medicine, medical laboratory science, mental health counseling, physician assistant studies, and school psychology. 黑料传送门 students learn the importance of health promotion, research, education and service to the community. Through its community-based Healthcare Centers, 黑料传送门 provides care to medically underserved populations. For more information, visit pcom.edu or call 215-871-6100.
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