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Stem Cells in Rotator Cuff Injuries and Reconstructions: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Liu, F. and Meng, Q. and Yin, H. and Yan, Z.

Curr Stem Cell Res Ther (2019) 14: 683–697

DOI: 10.2174/1574888x14666190617143952

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Multiple studies have focused on stem cell-based treatments for rotator cuff disorders; however, the outcomes are not consistent. OBJECTIVES: This systematic review and meta-analysis were performed to evaluate the effects of stem cells on rotator cuff healing. METHODS: A detailed search of relevant studies was conducted in three databases including Pubmed/ Medline, Cochrane library, and Embase databases, using the following keywords: "rotator cuff" or "Tissue Engineering" AND "stem cell" from inception to January 01, 2019. The standard mean difference (SMD) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for each individual study were extracted from the original studies or calculated based on relevant data and pooled to obtain integrated estimates using random effects modeling. RESULTS: A total of 22 studies were identified. The results demonstrated that the ultimate strain in the stem cell group was significantly higher than that in the control group at 4 and 8 weeks. Muscle weight in the stem cell group was higher than the control group at 8 weeks, while no significant differences were detected at 16 weeks. The stem cell group had lower visual analog scale scores (VAS) at 1, 3, and 6 months, and higher American shoulder and elbow surgeons score (ASES) at 3 months. In addition, the walking distance, time, and speed in the stem cell group were significantly superior to those in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis confirms that stem cells improved the rehabilitation of rotator cuff disorders. However, larger-scale studies are needed to further support these findings.

Citation

Liu, F., Meng, Q., Yin, H., & Yan, Z. (2019). Stem Cells in Rotator Cuff Injuries and Reconstructions: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Curr Stem Cell Res Ther, 14(8), 683–697. https://doi.org/10.2174/1574888x14666190617143952 *Stem Cell Transplantation, Animals, Humans, Treatment Outcome, stem cell, meta-analysis, Stem Cells/cytology, Tissue Engineering, Regeneration/*physiology, regenerative therapy, Rotator cuff, rotator cuff disorders, Rotator Cuff Injuries/pathology/physiopathology/*therapy, Rotator Cuff/*physiology, tissue engineering.

Keywords