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Published on: June 6, 2025
Cell therapies administered in the chronic phase after stroke: a meta-analysis examining safety and efficacy
David J Unsworth1, Jane L Mathias1, Diana S Dorstyn1
1Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
Aim:
To assess the safety and efficacy of cell therapies for chronic stroke.
Methodology:
Five databases were searched for treatments administered >90 days post-stroke. Reporting quality, adherence to research guidelines, treatment safety (risk ratios/pooled incidence rates) and neurological/functional efficacy (Hedge's g) were all evaluated.
Results:
Twenty-three studies examined 17 treatments. Reporting quality scores were medium to high, but adherence to recommended guidelines was lower. Three treatments resulted in serious adverse events; four improved outcomes more than standard care. However, many studies were under-powered and individual patients varied in their response to some treatments.
Conclusion:
Preliminary findings suggest that some cell therapies may be relatively safe and effective, but larger double-blinded placebo-controlled studies are needed to establish the long-term risks and benefits.
