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Efficacy of a Controlled Short-term Trial of Cannabidiol (CBD) Ingestion on Reducing Symptomatic Response and Facilitating Recovery After Induced Muscle Injury

Phase 2
Completed
Conditions
Recovery
Muscle Injury
Pain Relief
Interventions
Drug: Vehicle Control (Placebo)
Registration Number
NCT04586712
Lead Sponsor
University of Florida
Brief Summary

The study aims to determine the efficacy of a controlled short-term trial of CBD ingestion for reducing symptomatic response and facilitating recovery following induced muscle injury. A double-blind, randomized, three-arm study design will be used and participants will be randomly assigned to either a high dose (n=15), low dose (n=15), or vehicle control group (n=15). The clinical outcomes include measures of muscular pain and disability along with measures of pain-related fear and anxiety.

Detailed Description

Current research has shown evidence that phytocannabinoids may have a promising therapeutic potential in a variety of physical and psychological ailments, and cannabidiol (CBD) is of particular interest due to its positive safety profile, non-intoxicating effects and widespread capabilities in a number of musculoskeletal diseases. Three primary reasons people consume CBD on a global basis, in addition to the fact that it is non-intoxicating, are for symptomatic (pain) relief, anxiety reduction, and improved sleep quality. Very little is known about CBD and how it functions in the body from both an efficacy and mechanistic perspective, especially in humans. There is a large consumer base for this product that will be expanding exponentially in the next few years. Most of the evidence available is anecdotal from the personal testimony of consumers. We aim to determine the efficacy of a controlled short-term trial of CBD ingestion for reducing symptomatic response and facilitating recovery following induced muscle injury. In addition, we aim to identify if the effects are dose-dependent by utilizing a low-dose (25 mg/day), high-dose (62.5 mg/day) and vehicle-control (0 mg/day) ingestion regimen. We will assess, in serial fashion, symptomatic response, functional limitations and recovery of the quadriceps muscle following induced injury in which selected doses of CBD oil will be administered orally during a 15-day pre-injury consumption and post-injury recovery phase. A double-blind, randomized, three-arm study design will be used and participants will be randomly assigned to either a high dose (n=15), low dose (n=15), or vehicle control group (n=15). Our clinical outcomes include measures of muscular pain and disability along with measures of pain-related fear and anxiety. Our laboratory-based study design is desirable and advantageous because it is a controlled method of tracking individuals using an experimental model of injury that is translatable to clinical populations. Another advantage of this study design is that it will address, in parallel fashion, two of the primary reasons people are consuming CBD - symptomatic relief and anxiety reduction. This exploratory study will provide preliminary data needed to support the hypotheses of a planned larger scale application.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
29
Inclusion Criteria

a) male and female adults between the ages of 18-35 years and b) English speaking, and c) both female and male subjects must be currently practicing acceptable methods of birth control, such as abstinence, and methods of contraception (barriers, oral, patch or other prophylactic methods).

Exclusion Criteria

a) current use of cannabis products on a regular basis or positive urine test for cannabis, b) current use of tobacco or nicotine containing products on a regular basis, c) currently taking prescription medication for management of anxiety disorders, depression, or ADHD, d) current use of nutritional or dietary supplements on a daily basis (e.g. ephedra, yohimbine, pro-hormones, creatine or anabolics), e) current use of OTC anti-inflammatory medications (e.g. Advil, Aleve, Aspirin) on a regular basis, f) history of seizure disorder, family history of seizure disorder, current or history of head trauma, liver disease, renal (kidney) disease, cardiovascular disease (including, but not limited to: hypotension, hypertension, tachycardia, and syncope), g) current medical condition that would prevent the participant from performing strenuous resistance exercise, h) weight lifting for the lower extremities (legs) more than twice a week, i) currently experiencing pain in the hips, leg, or knee region, j) pregnancy, lactating or positive urine pregnancy test, k) known allergy to CBD or coconut/sesame oil, l) an allergy to tree nuts (coconut).

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Active CBD-extractActive CBDActive Dose (2000mg/30mL hemp extract = 67.5mg/day)
Vehicle-Control (Placebo)Vehicle Control (Placebo)(0mg/30mL hemp extract = no hemp extract)
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Self-report ratings of muscle sorenessPost-exercise (Days 12-15)

A muscle soreness inventory will be used to self-report the level of soreness. The muscle soreness inventory consists of rating soreness on a visual analog scale (VAS). A 10cm line is drawn with 0 (no soreness) on the left pole and 10 (extreme soreness) on the right pole.

Self-report ratings of DisabilityPre-exercise (Day 11)

Disability will be measured using the Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS). LEFS score = SUM (points for all 20 activities) Interpretation: Minimum score: 0 Maximum score: 80 The lower the score the greater the disability.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

University of Florida

🇺🇸

Gainesville, Florida, United States

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