Restoring Motion: A Case Series on the Functional and Spasticity Outcomes of MSC Therapy in Cerebral Palsy

Background Cerebral palsy is a non-progressive neurodevelopmental disorder often caused by hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy or intracranial hemorrhage, resulting in motor dysfunction and spasticity. While current treatments focus on symptomatic relief, mesenchymal stem cell therapy has emerged as a promising regenerative strategy with neuroprotective and neurorestorative potential. Objective To evaluate the functional and neurological outcomes following umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cell therapy in four pediatric patients with spastic cerebral palsy. Methods This multicenter case series included four children diagnosed with cerebral palsy secondary to hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy or intracranial hemorrhage. Each patient received six sessions of cell therapy via intrathecal, intravenous, and intramuscular routes. Clinical assessments were performed before and after therapy using the Modified Ashworth Scale, Motricity Index, Trunk Control Test, and Medical Research Council Muscle Strength Scale. Results All patients demonstrated improvements in at least one clinical domain. Three patients showed reduced spasticity, improved trunk control, and increased muscle strength. Functional motor scores improved remarkably in most cases, particularly in sit-to-stand transitions and voluntary limb movements. One patient, despite unchanged spasticity scores, exhibited functional gains in posture, head control, and cognitive-emotional interactions. No adverse events were reported in any of the participants. Conclusion Mesenchymal stem cell therapy was well-tolerated and associated with functional improvements and reduced spasticity in children with spastic cerebral palsy at the end of 10–12 months follow-up. These findings support the potential of mesenchymal stem cell-based interventions in pediatric neurorehabilitation and underscore the need for further large-scale trials to validate efficacy, explore cost-efficiency, and enable global accessibility.