The Therapeutic Effect of Human Stem Cell Therapy on the Expanded Disability Status Scale Improvement in Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a central nervous system inflammatory disease in which the myelin sheaths of neurons are damaged. This impairs the ability of the neurons for signal conduction and communication and causes many neurological signs and symptoms. In this study, we evaluated stem cell therapy for multiple sclerosis. We reviewed the scientific literature focusing on stem cell therapy for multiple sclerosis available from 2003 to 2022. This narrative systematic review was performed to evaluate the effect of human stem cell therapy on expanded disability status scale (EDSS) improvement in multiple sclerosis. No time limits were set for the search and all relevant clinical trials were included. The results showed that the rate of recovery of patients with stem cell therapy depends on the rate of stem cell injection and the frequency, the volume of injected cells, and the rate of disease progression. Overall, the survival rate and quality of life increased following the treatment. The expanded disability status scale changed with stem cell injection, but this change was not significant. Most cases experienced an improvement in bladder control. Death or hospitalization after injection and severe allergies were not observed. Our results showed stem cells could increase the quality of life and survival and reduce the incidence of motor symptoms in MS patients.