Exploring the Lived Experiences of Hope and Uncertainty in Patients Undergoing Stem Cell Therapy for Neurodegenerative Diseases
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Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases represent a major health challenge worldwide, and stem cell therapy has emerged as a promising approach within regenerative medicine. While biomedical research has established preliminary evidence of safety and efficacy, little is known about how patients subjectively experience such treatments. Despite growing clinical studies, current research rarely addresses the lived meanings of stem cell therapy, leaving unanswered questions about how patients navigate hope, uncertainty, and changes in quality of life. This study applies an interpretative phenomenological approach to explore the subjective experiences of patients undergoing stem cell therapy for neurodegenerative conditions, offering insights into how individuals interpret and make sense of their therapeutic journey. Participants were twelve adult patients (aged 38–72 years; 7 males and 5 females) diagnosed with various neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and multiple sclerosis (MS). Data were collected through semi-structured, in-depth interviews conducted in a clinical rehabilitation setting between March and August 2024, and analyzed using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) with systematic coding, double-checking of themes by two independent researchers, and participant validation to enhance methodological rigor. The findings revealed four essential themes: the coexistence of hope and uncertainty, embodied transformation alongside persistent limitations, emotional turbulence marked by anxiety about the future, and meaning-making through spirituality and relational support. These themes illustrate that the therapy is experienced not only as a medical intervention but as a deeply existential and relational process. The study demonstrates that understanding patient perspectives requires moving beyond clinical outcomes toward a holistic, patient-centered view of regenerative medicine. These insights may inform future clinical practice and ethical guidelines, while also encouraging further qualitative and longitudinal studies to deepen understanding of patient experiences in advanced therapies.
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