Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42387200›Full record

Trial reportJournal of neurology2026

Tetrahydrocannabinol/cannabidiol in the treatment of restless legs syndrome.

Laura Lillo Triguero, Belén Pilo de la Fuente, Judit Díaz Díaz, Cristina López Riolobos, Yolanda Aladro Benito

Abstract readClinical Trial
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Trial report in Journal of neurology, 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

5 authors.

Laura Lillo TrigueroNeurology Service, Hospital Universitario de Getafe, Universidad Europea de Madrid, Madrid, Spain. llillo@neurologiaclinica.es.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1580-5859
Belén Pilo de la FuenteNeurology Service, Hospital Universitario de Getafe, Universidad Europea de Madrid, Madrid, Spain.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0084-2254
Judit Díaz DíazNeurology Service, Hospital Universitario de Getafe, Universidad Europea de Madrid, Madrid, Spain.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1701-1518
Cristina López RiolobosPneumology Service, Hospital Universitario de Getafe, Madrid, Spain.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2202-5914
Yolanda Aladro BenitoNeurology Service, Hospital Universitario de Getafe, Universidad Europea de Madrid, Madrid, Spain.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9459-5452

Funding

IdiPAZ PI-6538
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundDopamine agonists were previously considered the first-line treatment for Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS); however, α2δ ligands are now recommended to prevent augmentation. As cannabinoids inhibit glutamate release in the striatum, they may represent an effective therapeutic option for RLS.

objectiveEvaluate the efficacy of 2.7 mg Δ9Tetrahyedrocannabinol/2.5 mg Cannabidiol (2.7mgTHC/2.5mgCBD) in RLS.

methodsThis is an exploratory, prospective, 3-month open-label trial. At baseline, patients underwent blood testing, respiratory polygraphy, and a 14-day actigraphy. Treatment was initiated at baseline, with dose titration at week 4 if required. The Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), International Restless Legs Syndrome Rating Scale (IRLS), Modified Ashworth Scale, and EQ-5D were assessed at baseline and at weeks 4 and 12. The 14-day actigraphy was repeated at week 12. The primary endpoint was improvement in IRLS scores. Sleep parameters were evaluated as secondary endpoints. Primary end point: improvement in IRLS. Sleep parameters were secondary end points.

resultsEighteen patients with RLS were included, of whom 16 had multiple sclerosis (MS). The cohort comprised 55.5% women, with a mean age of 51.87 years, a median EDSS score of 2, and a mean Ashworth score of 1 ± 1.19. Median iron metabolism parameters were within the normal range. At baseline, patients exhibited low daytime sleepiness (ESS: 10.63 ± 3.46) and severe RLS (IRLS: 22.44 ± 8.77). Mean sleep efficiency (SE) was 83.64 ± 6.03%, sleep latency (SL) was 26.71 ± 18.64 min, and wake after sleep onset (WASO) was 40.29 ± 10.03 min. IRLS scores improved significantly after both 1 month and 3 months of treatment (p < 0.001). WASO was significantly reduced (p = 0.015), whereas no significant changes were observed in SL or SE. After 1 year, 66.66% of patients remained on treatment and continued to show sustained improvement in IRLS scores (p = 0.000).

conclusionsIn this exploratory open-label study, treatment with 2.7 mg THC/2.5 mg CBD was effective in reducing RLS severity, as measured by the IRLS scale, in patients with MS and-associated idiopathic RLS. Improvements were observed after 1 and 3 months of treatment and were maintained after 1 year among patients who continued therapy.

Indexed as

CannabidiolDronabinolRestless Legs SyndromeActigraphyAdultDrug CombinationsFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedProspective StudiesSeverity of Illness IndexTreatment OutcomeCannabidiolDronabinolDrug CombinationsAugmentation syndromeCannabinoidsRLSRLS treatment

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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.