Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy in the Management of Cerebral Palsy (CP): A Promising Intervention for Functional Improvement
Main Article Content
Cerebral palsy (CP) encompasses a diverse range of motor disorders stemming from early-life brain injury or abnormal development. Despite therapeutic advancements, novel interventions are needed to enhance outcomes for CP patients. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) derived from umbilical cord blood offer promising therapeutic potential due to their immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective properties. This case study evaluates the efficacy of cord blood MSC therapy in treating CP, utilizing patient care records as the primary data source. Studies meeting predefined inclusion criteria were analyzed, focusing on outcomes such as motor function, spasticity, cognition, and quality of life. Initial findings indicate a significant positive impact of MSC therapy on motor function, alongside improvements in spasticity, cognition, and quality of life across various studies. Subgroup analyses underscored differences in treatment protocols, dosages, administration routes, and follow-up durations, underscoring the need for standardized approaches in future research. Overall, this systematic review and meta-analysis provide compelling evidence supporting the safety and effectiveness of cord blood MSC therapy for CP. Future randomized controlled trials with larger cohorts and extended follow-up periods are necessary to validate these findings and establish optimal treatment protocols.
Boyal?, O., Kabatas, S., Civelek, E., Ozdemir, O., Bahar-Ozdemir, Y., Kaplan, N., … Karaöz, E. (2024). Allogeneic mesenchymal stem cells may be a viable treatment modality in cerebral palsy. World Journal of Clinical Cases, 12(9), 1585–1596. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.12998/wjcc.v12.i9.1585
Carayannopoulos, A. G., Han, A., & Burdenko, I. N. (2020). The benefits of combining water and land-based therapy. Journal of Exercise Rehabilitation, 16(1), 20–26. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.12965/jer.1938742.371
Das, S. P., & Ganesh, G. S. (2019). Evidence-based Approach to Physical Therapy in Cerebral Palsy. Indian Journal of Orthopaedics, 53(1), 20–34. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.4103/ortho.IJOrtho_241_17
Hanes, J. E., Hlyva, O., Rosenbaum, P., Freeman, M., Nguyen, T., Palisano, R. J., & Gorter, J. W. (2019). Beyond stereotypes of cerebral palsy: Exploring the lived experiences of young Canadians. Child: Care, Health and Development, 45(5), 613–622. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1111/cch.12705
Jefferies, M., Peart, T., Perrier, L., Lauzon, A., & Munce, S. (2022). Psychological Interventions for Individuals With Acquired Brain Injury, Cerebral Palsy, and Spina Bifida: A Scoping Review. Frontiers in Pediatrics, 10. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.3389/fped.2022.782104
Lv, Z.-Y., Li, Y., & Liu, J. (2021). Progress in clinical trials of stem cell therapy for cerebral palsy. Neural Regeneration Research, 16(7), 1377. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.4103/1673-5374.300979
Majnemer, A., Shikako-Thomas, K., Schmitz, N., Shevell, M., & Lach, L. (2015). Stability of leisure participation from school-age to adolescence in individuals with cerebral palsy. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 47, 73–79. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ridd.2015.08.009
Nagamura-Inoue, T. (2014). Umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells: Their advantages and potential clinical utility. World Journal of Stem Cells, 6(2), 195. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.4252/wjsc.v6.i2.195
Özbe?er, H., Tüzün, E. H., Dericio?lu, B., & Övgün, Ç. D. (2024). Effects of Cognitive Orientation to Daily Occupational Performance and Conductive Education Treatment Approaches on Fine Motor Skills, Activity and Participation Limitations in Children with Down Syndrome: A Randomised Controlled Trial. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 54(1), 168–181.
Patel, D. R., Neelakantan, M., Pandher, K., & Merrick, J. (2020). Cerebral palsy in children: a clinical overview. Translational Pediatrics, 9(S1), S125–S135. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.21037/tp.2020.01.01
Sadowska, M., Sarecka-Hujar, B., & Kopyta, I. (2020).
Cerebral Palsy: Current Opinions on Definition, Epidemiology, Risk Factors, Classification and Treatment Options
. Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment, Volume 16, 1505–1518. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.2147/NDT.S235165Shahinyan, A., & Harutyunyan, M. (2021). Role of Occupational Therapy While Working with Cerebral Palsy Children Using Orthopedic Assistive Devices. Armenian Journal of Special Education, 5(2), 39–59. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.24234/se.2021.4.2.272
Silva, D. C. G. da, Cunha, M. de S. B. da, Santana, A. de O., Alves, A. M. dos S., & Santos, M. P. (2024). Nutritional interventions in children and adolescents with cerebral palsy: systematic review. Revista Paulista de Pediatria, 42. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1590/1984-0462/2024/42/2022107
Smith, M. J., Finch-Edmondson, M., Miller, S. L., Webb, A., Fahey, M. C., Jenkin, G., … McDonald, C. A. (2023). Acceptability of neural stem cell therapy for cerebral palsy: survey of the Australian cerebral palsy community. Stem Cell Research & Therapy, 14(1), 18. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1186/s13287-023-03246-2
te Velde, A., Morgan, C., Novak, I., Tantsis, E., & Badawi, N. (2019). Early Diagnosis and Classification of Cerebral Palsy: An Historical Perspective and Barriers to an Early Diagnosis. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 8(10), 1599. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm8101599
Wessels, M. D., Van Assen, A. A. G., Post, W. J., & Van der Putten, A. A. J. (2023). The construct validity and reliability of the Motor Development List for the assessment of motor skills in children with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities: The next step? Journal of Intellectual & Developmental Disability, 48(4), 370–383.
Yang, S., Suh, J. H., Kwon, S., & Chang, M. C. (2022). The effect of neurologic music therapy in patients with cerebral palsy: A systematic narrative review. Frontiers in Neurology, 13. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2022.852277.
