Reporter brief
Mesenchymal stem cell therapy associated with mobility improvements in frailty; systematic review of three small trials
What happened
This systematic review identified three randomized controlled trials (total ~208 older adults with aging frailty) examining intravenous mesenchymal stem cell therapy. MSC administration was well-tolerated with no serious adverse events reported. Studies showed variable improvements in functional measures: one trial reported dose-dependent increases in 6-minute walk distance at nine months; others reported improvements in SPPB, Timed Up and Go, and grip strength. Quality of life improved and pro-inflammatory cytokine concentrations decreased, though effect sizes and confidence intervals were not consistently provided.
Why it matters
Assessment pending; this report does not establish a change in evidence.
What it does NOT prove
- Limitations have not been recorded; consult the primary source.
Study design and sample
Systematic review; Human.
Older adults with aging frailty
- Design
- Systematic review
- Sample
- 208
- Journal
- International journal of molecular sciences
- Published
- Aug 25, 2026
Effect size
Dose-dependent increase in 6 min walk distance at nine months in one trial; improvements in SPPB, TUG, and grip strength reported in other studies; reduction in circulating pro-inflammatory cytokines; dose-dependent reduction in circulating sTIE2
Caveats
- Assessment: Superseded.
- Only the source material recorded on this evidence page was assessed.
Conflicts and funding
Not reported in abstract · No conflicts of interest reported in abstract
Previous evidence
See the Stem cell therapy timeline and recorded assessment for prior evidence.
Primary source
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