Effectiveness of bone marrow‑derived mononuclear stem cells for neurological recovery in participants with spinal cord injury: A randomized controlled trial

This study evaluates whether stem cell treatment can improve neurological outcomes for individuals with acute spinal cord injuries. Participants were divided into three groups: those receiving conventional treatment plus stem cells, those receiving conventional treatment alone, and those receiving conservative (non-surgical) care. The neurological status of all participants was assessed after one year, focusing on sensory and motor skills, and ASIA Impairment Scale grading to measure recovery in each group. The researchers aimed to determine if stem cell augmentation leads to better neurological recovery compared to standard treatments. The study found that patients who received stem cell augmentation alongside conventional treatment experienced significant improvements in motor skills, sensory functions, and AIS grade compared to those who received conventional treatment or conservative care alone, suggesting that stem cell therapy can be a beneficial addition to standard SCI management.

• 1
  Participants in Group 1 (conventional surgery with stem cells) showed significant improvement in AIS grade, sensory scores, and motor scores after 1 year (P < 0.001).
• 2
  The mean difference at 1 year for AIS grade in Group 1 versus Group 2 was 0.40 (P = 0.010), for sensory scores was 8.52 (P = 0.030), and for motor scores was 4.55 (P = 0.003), indicating better outcomes with stem cell augmentation.
• 3
  Group 1 also showed significantly greater improvements compared to Group 3 (conservative treatment) in all parameters (P < 0.001), reinforcing the benefit of stem cell augmentation over non-operative management.