Major Points and Findings:
- Aim: The study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of stem cell therapy for cerebral palsy. Although previous studies have shown the potential benefits of stem cell therapy for cerebral palsy, there is a lack of consistency in treatment protocols across these studies. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to consolidate all relevant studies to determine the safety and efficacy of the treatment.
- Methods: The researchers sourced data from PubMed/Medline, Web of Science, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library up to 2 January 2022. The literature was screened based on the PICOS principle, and the quality of the literature was evaluated to assess potential biases. Outcome indicators from each study were then extracted for a combined analysis.
- Results:
- Nine studies were included in the analysis.
- The pooled analysis indicated that improvements in both primary and secondary indicators, except for the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, favored stem cell therapy over the control group.
- Subgroup analysis revealed that stem cell therapy significantly increased Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM) scores at 3, 6, and 12 months. Improvements in GMFM scores were more pronounced with umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells, low doses, and intrathecal injections.
- Importantly, there was no significant difference in adverse events between the stem cell group and the control group.
- Conclusion: The findings suggest that stem cell therapy for cerebral palsy is both safe and effective. The subgroup analysis provides insights into the selection of clinical protocols for stem cell therapy. However, further high-quality randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are needed to validate these findings.
- Background on Cerebral Palsy (CP): CP was first described in 1861 and is attributed to a non-progressive disturbance in the developing fetal or infant brain. It is characterized by motor disorders and can be accompanied by disturbances in sensation, cognition, communication, perception, and epilepsy. The global prevalence of CP is approximately 2.11 per 1,000 live births.
- Stem Cell Therapy for CP: Stem cells have potential therapeutic properties for CP, including immune regulation, paracrine effects, angiogenesis, and neuroplasticity. Stem cell transplantation is considered a promising treatment strategy, and its effectiveness has been preliminarily verified by evidence-based medicine.