Exploring the Lived Experiences of Stem Cell Therapy in Patients with Spinal Cord Injury: A Phenomenological Study
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Abstract
Regenerative medicine—particularly stem cell-based therapy—has transformed treatment strategies for spinal cord injury by offering not only biological restoration but also renewed functional capacity. However, the personal experiences of patients undergoing such interventions remain underexplored in current literature. While clinical outcomes are well-documented, little is known about how patients interpret and internalize these treatments in relation to identity, embodiment, and meaning. This study explores that gap by asking: How do individuals with spinal cord injuries experience and make sense of stem cell-based regenerative therapy? Using an interpretative phenomenological approach, this research examines the lived experiences of eight individuals who underwent stem cell treatment following spinal cord injury. Semi-structured interviews were transcribed and analyzed thematically, grounded in phenomenological principles. Four core themes emerged: bodily unfamiliarity, emotional fluctuation, identity renegotiation, and the coexistence of hope and uncertainty. These findings reveal that regenerative healing is not experienced as a linear clinical recovery, but as a multidimensional transformation involving psychological, existential, and social adaptation. The study highlights that regenerative therapy affects patients in ways that transcend physical repair, offering insights for more empathetic and personalized rehabilitation frameworks. These results contribute to a broader, more integrated understanding of healing and underscore the importance of qualitative, experiential perspectives in future regenerative medicine research.
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