This was unexpected, as the hypothesis was that enhancement of cognitive functioning should have accounted for improvements in functional outcomes, at least in part.
The decrease in some co-morbidities and improvements in functional limitations were associated with significantly improved survival among patients ≥75 years.
However, improvements in functional capacity have not necessarily correlated with improvements in immune function, fatigue or other symptoms.
Body fat is easier to gain than FFM, so studies that show improved body weight may not translate into reductions in morbidity or improvements in functional status.
Robot assisted gait training may help in producing rapid improvements in functional gait parameters.
Participants in the active discussion intervention showed improvements in functional status, anxiety, depression, and preparation for end of life.
Although cognitive improvements were modest, their clinical importance was suggested by relationships with improvements in functional outcome.
Moreover, many improvements in functional status mean that less care at home is required, which also reduces the cost to the system.
CONCLUSIONS: In the modern era, OHT is associated with improvements in functional performance in most recipients, and this beneficial effect is preserved across the age spectrum.
In contrast, participants randomized to pregnenolone (n = 56) demonstrated greater improvements in functional capacity (UPSA-B composite changes) compared to placebo (n = 55), p = 0.03.
Improvements in functional outcome as assessed by the lower extremity functional score (LEFS), and the SF-36 was significant (p = 0.000).
