Exploring Lived Experiences and Meaning-Making in Stem Cell Therapy for Degenerative Diseases
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Abstract
Stem cell therapy has emerged as a promising advancement in regenerative medicine, offering new possibilities for treating degenerative diseases where conventional approaches remain limited. Despite growing clinical applications, little is known about how patients perceive and construct meaning from their treatment journeys, particularly regarding their psychological, emotional, and social experiences. This study addresses this gap by exploring the lived experiences of patients undergoing stem cell therapy through a descriptive phenomenological approach. Using in-depth semi-structured interviews with twelve participants, the study analyzed narratives to uncover the essence of patients’ experiences using thematic analysis supported by NVivo software. The findings revealed three central themes: navigating between hope and uncertainty, emotional turbulence and coping strategies, and the critical role of social and clinical support systems in shaping patient well-being. These results demonstrate that stem cell therapy is experienced not only as a biomedical intervention but also as a deeply personal and transformative process, influenced by emotional resilience, cultural values, and relational dynamics. By connecting biomedical advancements with patients’ subjective realities, this study provides a holistic understanding of stem cell therapy that extends beyond clinical outcomes. However, the study is limited by its small sample size and focus on a single clinical context, which may restrict the generalizability of the findings. Practically, the insights highlight the need for clinicians to integrate psychosocial support into treatment protocols, ensuring patient-centered care that addresses both medical and emotional dimensions of therapy.
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