Rehabilitation for patients with cerebral infarction after transplantation of autologous human mesenchymal stem cells

Abstract

We participated as physiatrists in Honmou et al's study that designed to assess feasibility and safety of transplantation of autologous human mesenchymal stem cells in patients with cerebral infarction, and tried to detect improvements that were distinguishable from usual course of rehabilitation. Improvements of motor function were found in rather small functional units, such as movements in one of the fingers, toes, and a single joint of an extremity. In the methods of evaluation, Brunnstrom stage may detect gross changes, while the more detailed scales were necessary for assessment of recovery after transplantation of stem cells. In the investigator-initiated clinical trial of stem cell therapy for stroke, we are going to include fine-grained evaluation methods and investigate the most suitable technique of rehabilitation for patients after treatment.