In an 18-week, double-blind, randomized crossover trial, it was found that a daily maximum of 50 mg Tetrahydrocannabinol and 34 mg Cannabidiol was well-tolerated and safe among dementia patients living within residential aged care facilities. Furthermore, it improved agitation, sleep, and relaxation among the patients. The investigators sought to establish a tolerable dose of cannabis-based medicine (CBM) (3:2 Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol:Cannabidiol) and evaluate its impact on perceived pain, quality of life (QoL), and behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD).

Alterations in pain, QoL, and BPSD were measured using 4 surveys collected on 7 different occasions. Attitudes towards CBM were understood through qualitative data. The analysis involved the use of general linear mixed models, and the qualitative data were synthesized. The trial involved 21 volunteers with a mean age of 85 years (77% female patients). The study found no substantial variations between CBM and placebo in terms of pain, QOL, or behavior except for a reduction in agitation favoring CBM at the conclusion of the intervention.

In some people, the qualitative findings indicated betterment in sleep and relaxation. Post hoc estimates suggested that including 50 cases would strengthen conclusions regarding the neuropsychiatric inventory. The study was based on a robust and rigorous design, guided by residential aged care facilities input. The use of CBM demonstrated safety, with minimum adverse effects reported. Future research with larger sample sizes would enable the investigators to explore the sensitivity of detecting alterations in BPSD within the complexity of the disease and in conjunction with other medications.