Healing and Identity Reconstruction in Patients UndergoingRegenerative Therapy with Biomaterial Scaffolds
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Abstract
Regenerative medicine and tissue engineering represent an evolving frontier in biomedical science that seeks to restore damaged tissues through the integration of cellular biology, biomaterials, and bioprinting technologies. Within this field, limited attention has been given to understanding the lived experiences of patients undergoing regenerative therapy, particularly regarding how technological healing reshapes their sense of body and identity. Despite clinical advancements, little is known about how patients make meaning of their recovery processes and how these experiences influence their adaptation to biomaterial-based treatments. This study adopts Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) and provides a clearer outline of its methodological steps, including data familiarization, initial noting, emergent theme development, and cross-case analysis. Participants consisted of twelve adults (7 males, 5 females; aged 25–62) who received regenerative treatment involving biomaterial scaffolds for musculoskeletal conditions. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to capture their detailed experiential accounts, and thematic analysis revealed four key experiential themes: embodied patience, trust, ethical presence, and identity reconstruction. These themes reflect not only emotional and existential responses but also practical challenges encountered during rehabilitation. These findings demonstrate that regeneration is lived not merely as biological repair but as an existential transformation in which patients renegotiate the boundaries between technology and selfhood. Overall, the study clarifies how methodological transparency and participant context illuminate the human dimensions of regenerative healing. By reframing regenerative healing as a process of meaning-making rather than purely physiological restoration, this study deepens understanding of the human dimensions of biomedical innovation and underscores the importance of integrating phenomenological inquiry into regenerative medicine to guide more ethically attuned and patient-centered clinical practices.
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References
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