What causes divergence between perceived success rates and objective clinical success rates for stem cell therapy?
Reliance on subjective parental observation versus standardized clinical metrics like VABS scores
A significant challenge in determining a concrete success rate arises from the difference between how efficacy is defined by clinicians versus how it is perceived by parents. Clinical trials rely on objective, standardized assessments, such as the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales (VABS) or ADOS, which measure deficits systematically against established baselines. Conversely, parents frequently gauge success based on subjective observations of vital, yet hard-to-quantify, milestones in daily life, such as a child willingly hugging them or initiating conversation. This mismatch means a study might show moderate statistical improvement, yet a parent expecting a dramatic shift might perceive that outcome as a failure, leading to conflicting reported success figures.
