Would the inclusion of medical cannabis in pain management education from nurses provide support for Fibromyalgia Patients? In a recently published study, researchers aimed to investigate the role of nurses in therapeutic treatment education intervention to bridge knowledge gaps in medical cannabis as a therapeutic option. The study, “Symptom management, adherence to therapy, and filling the gaps of medical cannabis therapy: a qualitative study on the importance of nursing consultations for fibromyalgia patients,” was published in the Journal of Cannabis Research in October 2025.
Fibromyalgia Symptoms and Treatments
The chronic condition fibromyalgia is characterized by symptoms that include generalized pain, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and high psychological distress. Though the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) agrees that nurses should be involved in patient education on therapeutic management options for FM, including medical cannabis, there is currently no definite treatment for FM offered by EULAR. Other research has suggested gradual and multimodal approaches, while typical pharmacological interventions include antidepressants, muscle relaxants, antiepileptics, and occasionally analgesics. Exercise remains one of the main non-pharmacological treatments for Fibromyalgia Patients.
Study Design: Nurse Education and Symptom Measurements
Study participants were recruited from the Italian Fibromyalgia Syndrome Association (AISF Onlus). A total of 30 FM patients completed the study, all diagnosed with FM and older than 18 years of age. These Fibromyalgia Patients completed the Revised Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQR) and the A-14 Scale two weeks before the educational session. The FIQR covers physical function, general health, and symptoms within the past seven days, while the A-14 measures therapeutic adherence and barriers.
Consulting nurses provided a 30-minute educational intervention session through videoconference for Fibromyalgia Patients who were using, had used, or had expressed interest in medical cannabis. The session assessed medical cannabis therapy and its potential benefits. Twenty participants indicated that medical cannabis had never been offered as a treatment option, even after years of ineffective results. Other Fibromyalgia Patients cited high costs and physician resistance as barriers to accessing medical cannabis.
Two weeks after the educational session, Fibromyalgia Patients completed the FIQR and A-14 Scale again, along with the Clinical Global Impression–Global Improvement (CGI-I) Scale, which measures subjective progress.
After the education session, 14 patients reported improvement in severity index in the FIQR, while 2 reported reduced scores. Changes in A-14 Scale scores were also statistically significant. CGI-I results showed that 10 patients demonstrated slight but notable improvements, and 4 patients demonstrated marked progress.
All Fibromyalgia Patients expressed dissatisfaction with current FM treatments but found the educational intervention helpful. The study concluded that nurse-led education plays a crucial role in improving therapeutic treatment outcomes for Fibromyalgia Patients. Researchers emphasized that nurses with deep knowledge of fibromyalgia and medical cannabis are best suited to support patients throughout their treatment journey.
Ultimately, providing structured education and professional guidance reassures Fibromyalgia Patients, helping them feel more informed, empowered, and supported in managing their chronic condition.
Reference
- Bassi, G.M.; Giorgi, V.; Lazzarin, M.; Meanti, R.; Omeljaniuk, RJ.; Sarzi-Puttini, P.; Torsello, A. Symptom management, adherence to therapy, and filling the gaps of medical cannabis therapy: a qualitative study on the importance of nursing consultations for fibromyalgia patients. J Cannabis Res 7, 84 (2025). DOI: 10.1186/s42238-025-00346-z
by Cannabis Science and Technology
