Major Points:
- Background: SCA is characterized by changes in balance, locomotion, and motor coordination. Stem cell therapies are being explored as a potential treatment to delay the disease's progression.
- Objectives: The review aims to assess whether stem cell application has any effect on functional recovery in SCA patients.
- Methods: The review included studies that investigated the efficacy and safety of mesenchymal stem cells from umbilical cord and adipose tissue. Various routes of administration were considered.
- Results: Clinical improvements were observed in scores of ICARS (International Cooperative Ataxia Rating Scale), ADL (Activities of Daily Living Scale), BBS (Berg Balance Scale), and SARA (Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia). However, these improvements lacked statistical significance.
- Conclusions: The review concludes that there is low evidence to recommend stem cell therapy for SCA patients. No statistical difference was observed in improving functional recovery.
Findings:
- Limited Evidence: The review found that while there were clinical improvements in various scales like ICARS, ADL, BBS, and SARA, these did not reach statistical significance.
- Need for Further Research: The study calls for more research with different designs, larger sample sizes, and placebo controls to fully understand the potential outcomes of cellular therapy for SCA.
- Safety and Efficacy: The studies included in the review also aimed to investigate the safety of the stem cell application protocols, but the report suggests that more comprehensive studies are needed.
- Variety in Clinical Manifestations: SCA has a wide range of clinical manifestations, making it a challenging disease to treat. Stem cell therapies have shown promise in animal models, but human trials are needed for confirmation.