title: Stem cells therapy in cerebral palsy: A systematic review.
abstract: The aim of this study was to systematically present the best available stem cell therapies for children with cerebral palsy (CP). The databases Medline, PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register for RCTs were searched for studies published from 1967 to August 2015. Systematic reviews, randomised controlled trials (RCTs), controlled trials, uncontrolled trials, cohort studies, open-label studies, and a meta-analysis were analysed. Of 360 articles, seven fulfilled the inclusion criteria: one RCT and six were open-label trials. In these studies, one application of stem cells for children with CP was typical, and the total number of cells administered to patients ranged from 10(6) to 10(8)/kg. Different routes of cell delivery were used, though in most studies motor development was applied as an indicator of primary outcomes. In three articles, neuroimaging studies were also implemented to confirm the efficacy of the therapies. Observation periods varied from 3months to 5years, and patients' tolerance of the therapy was generally good. Stem cell therapy may improve some symptoms in patients with CP, though larger studies are needed to examine the impact of stem cell therapy upon CP.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Rehabilitation, Medical University of Bialystok, Białystok, Poland.
authors.forename: Agnieszka
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kułak-Bejda
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Radiology, Medical University of Białystok, Bialystok, Poland.
authors.forename: Piotr
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kułak
authors.affiliation: Department of Integrated Medical Care, Medical University of Białystok, Bialystok, Poland.
authors.forename: Grzegorz
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bejda
authors.affiliation: Department of Integrated Medical Care, Medical University of Białystok, Bialystok, Poland.
authors.forename: Elżbieta
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Krajewska-Kułak
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Rehabilitation, Medical University of Bialystok, Białystok, Poland. Electronic address: kneur2@wp.pl.
authors.forename: Wojciech
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Kułak
mesh_terms: D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000628:therapy*; D002648:Child; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D006801:Humans; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000379:methods
keywords: Cerebral palsy; Stem cells; Systematic review