Before researchers can reliably estimate whether a treatment works in care homes, they need to know whether staff and residents can follow the study protocol. Albertyn and colleagues examined that question in STAND, a randomized, double-blind trial of a THC and CBD spray for residents with probable Alzheimer’s disease and significant agitation.
What the trial demonstrated
Of 53 people assessed, 29 were randomized to nabiximols or placebo. The protocol included four weeks of treatment followed by four weeks of observation. No participants withdrew, and the investigators reported high adherence. Those observations help researchers judge whether a larger study can recruit residents, deliver the assigned treatment and retain participants.
The study did not find a statistically significant treatment effect. With a small feasibility sample, the estimated effects remain uncertain. When evaluating a claim based on STAND, distinguish findings about carrying out the trial from evidence about whether the treatment reduced agitation.
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