Cote, M., Trudel, M., Wang, C., & Fortin, A. (2016). Improving quality of life with nabilone during radiotherapy treatments for head and neck cancers: A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial. Annals of Otology, Rhinology, and Laryngology, 125, 317–324.
To compare effects of nabilone versus placebo on quality of life and symptoms
Patients were randomized to receive placebo or nabilone 0.5 mg at bedtime during the first week, and increased as needed to a maximum of 1 mg twice daily. Concomitant use of other analgesics was permitted.
PHASE OF CARE: Active anti-tumor treatment
Placebo-controlled RCT
There were no significant differences between groups in pain or quality of life. There were no differences between groups in use of other analgesics.
No benefit of nabilone was found in this study.
Small sample (< 100)
Nabilone was not found to be of benefit for patients with head and neck cancer during radiation therapy in this study.