Effects of tetrahydrocannabinol on balance and gait in patients with dementia: A randomised controlled crossover trial.
Oral tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is currently studied for its possible efficacy on dementia-related neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS), but might lead to increased risk of falling. This was a randomised, double-blind, crossover study to evaluate the effects of THC on mobility in dementia patients. Eighteen community-dwelling patients ( Mage=77 years) received 1.5 mg of oral THC twice daily and placebo, in random order, for three days, separated by a four-day washout. Balance and gait were assessed using SwayStarTMand GAITRiteTMwithin two hours after administration, in two consecutive intervention periods, under the following conditions: standing with eyes open (EO) and eyes closed (EC), preferred speed walking with and without a cognitive dual task. THC significantly increased sway during standing EC (roll angle 0.32[±0.6]°, p=0.05; pitch angle 1.04[±1.5]°, p=0.009; pitch velocity 1.96[±3.3]°/s, p=0.02), but not during standing EO. During preferred speed walking, THC increased stride length (4.3[±5.4] cm, p=0.005) and trunk sway (pitch angle 1.18[±1.6]°, p=0.005). No effects were observed during dual task walking. No differences in the number and type of adverse events were found, and no falls occurred after administration of THC. This study showed that 3 mg of THC per day has a benign adverse event profile regarding mobility and was well tolerated by community-dwelling dementia patients.
1 Radboudumc Alzheimer Centre and Department of Geriatric Medicine, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands.
Geke Ah
GA
van den Elsen
1 Radboudumc Alzheimer Centre and Department of Geriatric Medicine, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands.
Lieke
L
Tobben
1 Radboudumc Alzheimer Centre and Department of Geriatric Medicine, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands.|2 Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands.
Amir Ia
AI
Ahmed
3 Department of Psychiatry, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands.
Robbert Jan
RJ
Verkes
2 Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands.|4 Department of Internal Medicine, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands.|5 Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Canisius-Wilhelmina Hospital, Nijmegen, the Netherlands.
Cornelis
C
Kramers
6 Department of Old Age Psychiatry, Propersona, Wolfheze, the Netherlands.
Radboud M
RM
Marijnissen
6 Department of Old Age Psychiatry, Propersona, Wolfheze, the Netherlands.
Marcel Gm
MG
Olde Rikkert
6 Department of Old Age Psychiatry, Propersona, Wolfheze, the Netherlands.
Marjolein A
MA
van der Marck
D000368:Aged; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D003704:Dementia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D013759:Dronabinol; D005260:Female; D005684:Gait / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000187:drug effects*; D011187:Posture / Q000502:physiology*
D013759:Dronabinol
Mobility; dementia; fall risk; safety; tetrahydrocannabinol