SynthesisBMJ open2021
Values and preferences towards medical cannabis among people living with chronic pain: a mixed-methods systematic review.
Synthesis in BMJ open, 2021. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 23 papers, 4 of them syntheses that pooled it.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
23 citing papers in PubMed, 4 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.
- Values and preferences of patients with inborn errors of immunity and their caregivers: a systematic review.Frontiers in immunology · 2026Pooled it
- Pooled it
- Long-term and serious harms of medical cannabis and cannabinoids for chronic pain: a systematic review of non-randomised studies.BMJ open · 2022Pooled it
- Pooled it
- Development of a Decision Aid to Support Shared Decision-Making on Cannabis Use for Arthritis: Protocol for a Multiphase Study.JMIR research protocols · 2026Article
- A qualitative study on cannabis use for harm reduction and pain among veterans enrolled in an SUD treatment program.Harm reduction journal · 2026Article
- Medicinal and combined medicinal/recreational cannabis use in California following the passage of Proposition 64.Journal of cannabis research · 2025Article
- Review
- Cannabis Use Patterns Among Adults Living With Chronic Pain Before and During the COVID Pandemic: Insights From the COVID-19 Cannabis Health Study.Pain research & management · 2025Article
- Real-world patient experience with medicinal cannabis use for symptom management in an Australian advanced cancer setting: a mixed method, cohort study using the theory of planned behaviour framework.Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2024Article
- Potential role of cannabis in ameliorating observed racialized disparities in cancer pain management.Journal of the National Cancer Institute · 2024Article
- Overview: Chronic Pain and Cannabis-Based Medicines.Pharmacopsychiatry · 2024Review
- Tetrahydrocannabinol and Cannabidiol for Pain Treatment-An Update on the Evidence.Biomedicines · 2024Review
- Individuals' Values and Preferences Regarding Medical Cannabis for Chronic Pain: A Descriptive Qualitative Study.Journal of pain research · 2024Article
- Medical Cannabis Program Sustainability in the Era of Recreational Cannabis.Clinical therapeutics · 2023Article
- "It doesn't make any sense to even try": the disruptive impact of COVID-19's first wave on people with chronic pain using medical cannabis in New York.Journal of cannabis research · 2023Article
- Perceptions and Preoccupations of Patients and Physicians Regarding Use of Medical Cannabis as an Intervention Against Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain: Results from a Qualitative Study.Journal of pain research · 2023Article
- Surveying Canadian Pain Physicians' Attitudes and Beliefs Regarding Medical Cannabis for Chronic Noncancer Pain: A Qualitative Study.Journal of pain research · 2022Article
- Medical Cannabis Alleviates Chronic Neuropathic Pain Effectively and Sustainably without Severe Adverse Effect: A Retrospective Study on 99 Cases.Medical cannabis and cannabinoidsArticle
- The Pharmacology of Cannabinoids in Chronic Pain.Medical cannabis and cannabinoidsReview
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
11 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
objectiveTo explore values and preferences towards medical cannabis among people living with chronic pain.
designMixed-methods systematic review. DATA SOURCES: We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE and PsycINFO from inception to 17 March 2020. STUDY SELECTION: Pairs of reviewers independently screened search results and included quantitative, qualitative and mixed-methods studies reporting values and preferences towards medical cannabis among people living with chronic pain. REVIEW
methodsWe analysed data using meta-narrative synthesis (quantitative findings were qualitised) and tabulated review findings according to identified themes. We used the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation approach to assess certainty of evidence.
resultsOf 1838 initial records, 15 studies proved eligible for review. High to moderate certainty evidence showed that patient's use of medical cannabis for chronic pain was influenced by both positive (eg, support from friends and family) and negative social factors (eg, stigma surrounding cannabis use). Most patients using medical cannabis favoured products with balanced ratios of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), or high levels of CBD, but not high THC preparations. Many valued the effectiveness of medical cannabis for symptom management even when experiencing adverse events related to concentration, memory or fatigue. Reducing use of prescription medication was a motivating factor for use of medical cannabis, and concerns regarding addiction, losing control or acting strangely were disincentives. Out-of-pocket costs were a barrier, whereas legalisation of medical cannabis improved access and incentivised use.Low to very low certainty evidence suggested highly variable values towards medical cannabis among people living with chronic pain. Individuals with pain related to life-limiting disease were more willing to use medical cannabis, and preferred oral over inhaled administration.
conclusionsOur findings highlight factors that clinicians should consider when discussing medical cannabis. The variability of patients' values and preferences emphasise the need for shared decision making when considering medical cannabis for chronic pain.
Indexed as
Identifiers
What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.