What Researchers Did
Researchers reviewed the existing evidence for various alternative and complementary therapies used by multiple sclerosis patients, assessing their efficacy and potential risks.
What They Found
The review found that most multiple sclerosis patients use unconventional therapies, but few adequate clinical trials exist to prove their efficacy, and risks are largely unknown. While long-term Vitamin D supplementation is associated with decreased MS incidence, its effect on disease course is unproven, and randomized trials for cannabis showed subjective improvement for spasticity and pain but negative objective results.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
Canadian patients with multiple sclerosis should be aware that many alternative and complementary therapies lack robust scientific evidence for their effectiveness and may carry unknown risks. It is crucial for patients to discuss any unconventional treatments with their healthcare providers to ensure safety and avoid potential harm or interference with conventional care.
Canadian Relevance
This study has no direct Canadian connection as it was not conducted in Canada nor focused on Canadian populations.
Study Limitations
The primary limitation is the general lack of robust, high-quality clinical trials for most alternative and complementary therapies discussed, making definitive conclusions difficult.