Adult fibromyalgia sufferers are being invited to participate in a Gold Coast based study into the efficacy of medicinal cannabis to help reduce pain and other symptoms
- Southern Cross University study into treatment of Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS) using medicinal cannabis is currently recruiting up to 36 patients to participate
- Funded and supported by leading Australian medicinal cannabis producer and manufacturer Little Green Pharma (LGP), the study examines the efficacy and safety of medicinal cannabis in relieving pain and other symptoms of FMS
- The Phase 2 randomised, double blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial is currently underway and recruiting up to 36 adults with diagnosed fibromyalgia
- FMS affects approx. 2.7% of the global population and as many as 1 million Australians or 3-5% of the Australian population with treatment options limited
Australian adults who suffer from the chronic and often debilitating condition known as fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) are being invited to participate in a free Southern Cross University study into the efficacy of medicinal cannabis in relieving pain and other symptoms associated with the condition.
The Gold Coast based study is being run at the Griffith University’s Clinical Trial Unit with clinicians from the Gold Coast University Hospital and private practice currently and looking to recruit a total of 36 eligible participants by December 20 this year.
Dr Janet Schloss, Clinical Research Fellow at Southern Cross University’s National Centre for Naturopathic Medicine and the study’s Principal Investigator, said the Phase 2 randomised, double blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial relies on the real-life experience of patients who suffer day to day with this devastating condition and can potentially benefit from the relief of pain and other symptoms.
“Patients are being encouraged to take part in the study to help further understand the safety and efficacy of medicinal cannabis in the treatment of this complex disorder and in turn provide potential benefits for patients of pain and symptoms relief where possible,” Dr Schloss said.
“Patients need a referral from their healthcare professional and a formal diagnosis of fibromyalgia to apply for the study. If eligible, participants will need to attend the clinic up to six times over a period of 18 weeks.”
Recent research has suggested that medicinal cannabis may help people with fibromyalgia by improving pain and quality of life. The study is looking to confirm this previous research that suggests medicinal cannabis plays a role in reducing pain and managing symptoms of FMS.
Southern Cross University PhD candidate Inna Kurlyandchik and Clinical Trial Coordinator said “Fibromyalgia is a complex condition with limited treatment options available. Last year we undertook a systematic review and found that medicinal cannabis has potential to reduce pain and improve the quality of life in fibromyalgia patients.”
Lori, a current study participant said “If cannabis can help reduce the pain I experience on a regular basis it could be a life changer for me as this condition has really restricted my ability to do even normal things.”
Little Green Pharma is providing funding support, research supervision as well as the balanced THC: CBD medicinal cannabis oil and the placebo medication – an oil-based product similar in texture and smell - with which to conduct the trial.
LGP Head of Research & Innovation and clinical researcher, Dr Leon Warne who is assisting as a co-supervisor of the study said, “it is critical that patients join the study so we can continue to understand the clinical benefits of using medicinal cannabis and how it can potentially contribute to an improved quality of life for thousands of Australians who suffer chronic pain.”
“Little Green Pharma is proud to support the study and also provide the pharmaceutical grade medicinal cannabis as part of the research,” Dr Warne said.
ABOUT THE STUDY
For more information about the trial and the trial location, please visit the following website. We invite you to complete the screening survey, and provide your contact details. https://redcap.link/CANN-RELIEF
This clinical trial has been approved by the Southern Cross University Human Research Ethics Committee (2022/146).
ABOUT FMS
FMS affects approx. 2.7% of the global population1 and is a syndrome characterised by chronic widespread pain, sleep disturbances, morning stiffness, severe fatigue and cognitive dysfunction, often accompanied by other somatic and psychological impairments including mood changes, depression, anxiety, irritable bowel syndrome, vulvodynia, interstitial cystitis, chronic prostatitis, temporomandibular joint dysfunction and headaches.
Up to 1 million Australians or 3-5% of the Australian population suffer from FMS.2 Treatment options are limited for people suffering FMS with previous studies demonstrating medicinal cannabis may be beneficial for some people suffering FMS.
For further information, please contact:
David Tasker
Chapter One Advisors
E: dtasker@chapteroneadvisors.com.au
M: +61 433 112 936
Sharlene King, Media Officer
Southern Cross University
sharlene.king@scu.edu.au
M +61 429 661 349
Celia Young, Marketing Manager
Little Green Pharma
E: celia@lgpharma.com.au
M: +61 421 730 885