We are seeking dedicated and enthusiastic researchers to join our team in developing a proposal for a Cochrane Systematic Review on the effectiveness and safety of stem cell-based therapies for spinal cord injury (SCI).

Please note: This is a proposal for a new Cochrane Review, which is currently in development and will be submitted for approval through the formal Cochrane editorial process. We are optimistic about the potential approval of this proposal, given the clinical relevance and novelty of the topic, and are assembling a strong, multidisciplinary team in preparation.

This project aims to synthesize the best available evidence on a topic of high clinical and social relevance, with the potential to inform rehabilitation practices and guide future research.

🧠 About the ProjectSpinal cord injury is a devastating condition with limited options for functional recovery. Stem cell therapies have emerged as a promising strategy to promote neuroregeneration, but clinical evidence remains scattered and controversial. Through this proposal for a Cochrane Review, we aim to provide a rigorous, transparent, and up-to-date synthesis of the evidence on the benefits and risks of stem cell interventions for SCI.

👥 We are currently recruiting collaborators for the following roles:

1. Information Specialist / Librarian

• Design and run comprehensive literature searches in databases such as CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, and trial registries

• Assist with search strategy documentation and peer review (PRESS)

• Help manage citation data and deduplication

2. Screening Team

• Participate in title/abstract and full-text screening of retrieved studies using tools such as Covidence or Rayyan

• Apply pre-specified eligibility criteria consistently

• Resolve conflicts through discussion or consensus with lead reviewers

3. Risk of Bias Assessors

• Evaluate included studies using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool (RoB 2 for RCTs and ROBINS-I for non-randomized studies)

• Contribute to consensus discussions and quality control

4. Data Extractors

• Extract key data from primary studies (participant characteristics, interventions, outcomes, etc.)

• Use standardized forms and ensure data integrity

5. Methodologist / Statistician

• Plan and conduct meta-analyses where appropriate

• Perform sensitivity, subgroup, and GRADE assessments

• Advise on heterogeneity, publication bias, and interpretation of findings

6. GRADE Methodologists

• Contribute to Summary of Findings (SoF) tables

• Assess the certainty of the evidence using GRADE criteria

• Participate in drafting conclusions and clinical implications

7. Content Experts (Neurology / Rehabilitation / Stem Cell Biology and related fields)

• Provide input on clinical and biological relevance of interventions and outcomes

• Help interpret results from a translational and clinical perspective

• All related fields will also be considered and are encouraged to apply

8. Consumer or Stakeholder Representative

• Provide input on the relevance of outcomes and implications for people with lived experience of SCI

• Assist in drafting plain language summaries

✅ What We Offer:

• Mentorship and support from experienced Cochrane reviewers

• Opportunities for co-authorship and capacity building in evidence synthesis

• A chance to contribute to high-impact work with potential global influence

📨 Interested?Please respond through Cochrane Engage by sharing a brief motivation, and the role(s) you're interested in. We particularly welcome expressions of interest from early-career researchers and individuals from underrepresented population groups and geographical regions.

Let’s build a strong, collaborative team to produce a review that matters.

We look forward to working with you!