Evidence map›Paper›PMID 25944079›Full record

SynthesisInternational orthopaedics2015

Efficacy of mesenchymal stem cells injection for the management of knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Peng Xia, Xiaoju Wang, Qiang Lin, Xueping Li

2 registry-linked trialsAbstract readMeta-AnalysisSystematic Review
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Synthesis in International orthopaedics, 2015. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. It is linked to 2 registered trials, which are not on this map. Cited by 43 papers, 6 of them syntheses that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
43citing papers in PubMed, 6 pooled it
6.4field-weighted citation impact, top 3% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

NCT04351932 phase3unknown statusnot on this mapstarted 2020, after this paper: background citation

Bone Marrow Versus Adipose Autologous Mesenchymal Stem Cells for the Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis: A Randomized Non Blind Controlled Clinical Trial

TypeinterventionalSponsorUniversidad Catolica Santiago de GuayaquilRan2020 to 2021Enrolled54ConditionsOsteo Arthritis KneeArmsbone marrow mesenchymal stem cells, Adipose Mesenchymal stem cells, bone marrow & adipose mesenchymal stem cells injection
NCT05660824 phase4not yet recruitingnot on this mapstarted 2025, after this paper: background citation

Effectiveness of Stromal Vascular Fraction (SVF) and Platelet -Rich Plasma (PRP) in Patients With Knee Osteoarthritis: Study Protocol for a Phase III, Prospective, Randomized, Controlled Multi-center Study : (SPOST Study)

TypeinterventionalSponsorAdrien SchwitzguebelRan2025 to 2027Enrolled108ConditionsOsteoarthritisArmsStromal Vascular Fraction infiltration, Plattelet Rich Plasma infiltration
3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

43 citing papers in PubMed, 6 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 89 citations in OpenAlex.

  1. Stem cell injections for osteoarthritis of the knee.The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · 2025
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  14. Stem cell therapies in the clinic.Bioengineering & translational medicine · 2025
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors at 1 institution in 1 country.

Peng XiaDepartment of Rehabilitation Medicine, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210006, China.
Xiaoju WangDepartment of Rehabilitation Medicine, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210006, China.
Qiang LinDepartment of Rehabilitation Medicine, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210006, China.
Xueping LiDepartment of Rehabilitation Medicine, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210006, China. lixueping6504@163.com.
Nanjing Medical University · CN

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectiveThe purpose of this study was to access the efficacy of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) injection in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis (OA).

methodsStudies were identified from databases (Pubmed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Biosis Previews, ClincalTrials.gov, CBMdisc) searched to December 2014 using a battery of keywords. We included randomized controlled and controlled clinical trials of people with knee OA comparing the outcomes of pain and function for those receiving MSCs injection with those receiving no MSCs injection. Two reviewers independently selected studies, extracted relevant data and assessed study quality. Data were pooled and meta-analyses were performed.

resultsSeven randomized controlled and controlled clinical trials, studying a total of 314 participants with a diagnosis of knee OA were included. Overall, MSCs injection has no significant effect on pain [weighted mean difference (WMD) (95 % confidence interval (CI)) [-1.33(-3.08, 0.41), P = 0.13], and tends to improve self-reported physical function [standardized mean difference (SMD) (CI) = 2.35(0.92, 3.77), P = 0.001] at the last follow-up. But results from two high quality trials (94 patients) show a positive effect of MSCs injection on pain [WMD(CI) = -0.49 (-0.79, -0.19), P = 0.001]. Heterogeneity observed between studies regarding the effect of MSCs injection on pain and function was explained by the difference of follow-up time, outcome measures, control group, the source and dose of MSCs. The quality of evidence supporting these effect estimates was rated as low.

conclusionMSCs injection could be potentially efficacious for decreasing pain and may improve physical function in patients with knee OA. The findings of this review should be confirmed using methodologically rigorous and adequately powered clinical trials.

Indexed as

Mesenchymal Stem Cell TransplantationHumansInjectionsOsteoarthritis, KneeKneeMesenchymal stem cells (MSCs)Meta-analysisOsteoarthritis (OA)

Identifiers

PMID25944079
OpenAlexW2119744583

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.