Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42256679›Full record

ArticleEClinicalMedicine2026

High-dose cannabidiol for chronic neuropathic pain associated with spinal cord injury: a randomised clinical trial.

Rebecca V Robertson, Anastasia Suraev, Danielle McCartney, Allan Peng, Noemi Meylakh, Rebecca Gordon, Fernando A Tinoco-Mendoza, Callum Morse, Leana Sattarov, Claire L Boswell-Ruys and 5 more

Abstract read
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In one paragraph

Article in EClinicalMedicine, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

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.

2 · The registry

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.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

15 authors.

Rebecca V RobertsonSchool of Medical Sciences (Neuroscience), University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales, 2006, Australia.
Anastasia SuraevBrain and Mind Centre, University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales, 2006, Australia.
Danielle McCartneyBrain and Mind Centre, University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales, 2006, Australia.
Allan PengSchool of Medical Sciences (Neuroscience), University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales, 2006, Australia.
Noemi MeylakhSchool of Medical Sciences (Neuroscience), University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales, 2006, Australia.
Rebecca GordonSchool of Medical Sciences (Neuroscience), University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales, 2006, Australia.
Fernando A Tinoco-MendozaSchool of Medical Sciences (Neuroscience), University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales, 2006, Australia.
Callum MorsePrince of Wales Hospital, Randwick, New South Wales, 2031, Australia.
Leana SattarovSchool of Medical Sciences (Neuroscience), University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales, 2006, Australia.
Claire L Boswell-RuysPrince of Wales Hospital, Randwick, New South Wales, 2031, Australia.
Kevin A KeaySchool of Medical Sciences (Neuroscience), University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales, 2006, Australia.
Elizabeth A CairnsBrain and Mind Centre, University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales, 2006, Australia.
Sachin ShettyPrince of Wales Hospital, Randwick, New South Wales, 2031, Australia.
Iain S McGregorBrain and Mind Centre, University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales, 2006, Australia.
Luke A HendersonSchool of Medical Sciences (Neuroscience), University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales, 2006, Australia.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background: Chronic neuropathic pain is common after spinal cord injury (SCI), yet current treatments have limited efficacy and significant side effects. Cannabidiol (CBD), a non-intoxicating component of cannabis, has demonstrated efficacy in preclinical neuropathic pain models. Here, we investigated the effect of high-dose (up to 800 mg/day) CBD on chronic neuropathic pain in SCI. Methods: This randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, crossover clinical trial was conducted at Neuroscience Research Australia. Adults with SCI and neuropathic pain (≥three months duration) were recruited. Participants were randomised to one of two treatment orders by an unblinded investigator who had no participant contact. Participants and all other investigators were blinded. Participants consumed oral CBD and placebo over two six-week treatment periods separated by a four-week washout. Treatment was titrated up to 800 mg/day of CBD over two-weeks. The primary outcome was change in self-reported pain intensity on a zero (no pain) to ten (worst pain imaginable) Visual Analogue Scale. Statistical comparisons included CBD versus placebo treatment, and pre-treatment (inactive phase) versus on-treatment (active phase). Outcomes were analysed by modified intention-to-treat. The study is registered with anzctr.org.au, ACTRN12622000634774 (not recruiting). Findings: Forty participants were randomised (August 1, 2022 to December 16, 2024) and 38 included in the primary analysis (n = 6 female). A significant treatment by phase interaction effect ( Interpretation: In this placebo-controlled trial, CBD significantly reduced the self-reported intensity of neuropathic pain and was generally well-tolerated. While modest in magnitude, the observed effect supports further research into high-dose CBD for chronic neuropathic pain. Funding: Spinal Cord Injury Research Grant NSW Health and the Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics at The University of Sydney.

Indexed as

AnalgesiaCannabidiolNeuropathic painPain treatment

Identifiers

PMID42256679
PMCPMC13233594

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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.