Exercise and Testosterone Therapy in Elderly Men With Physical Frailty
Physical Frailty, Hip Fracture, Elective Hip Replacement
About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Physical Frailty focused on measuring Testosterone Replacement Therapy, Physical Frailty, Hip Fracture
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria: Male, age 65 years and older Total serum testosterone level < 350 ng/dl Total Modified Physical Performance Test Score <28 Exclusion Criteria: Inability to walk 50 feet independently Current use of estrogen, progestin, or androgen containing compound Diagnosis of dementia of severity sufficient to interfere with informed consent or compliance with the protocol, or a score of 11 or greater on the Short Blessed Test of Orientation, Memory and Concentration Visual or hearing impairments that interfere with following directions Cardiopulmonary disease (recent MI, unstable angina or CHF, etc.), neuromuscular impairments, or unstable medical condition that would contraindicate progressive resistance exercise training History of prostate cancer or hormone dependent neoplasia PSA level > 4 ng/ml Serum liver transaminase levels of greater than 2 standard deviations above normal Use of drugs for osteoporosis for less than 1 year Current participation in a vigorous exercise or weight-training program more than once per week History of sleep apnea requiring use of CPAP Uncontrolled thyroid disease Diagnosis of cancer within the past 5 years other than superficial skin cancer (squamous or basal cell) hematocrit > 50% AUA symptom score > 16. History of alcohol or substance abuse Presence of severe facial acne Active symptoms of depression with GDS score > 5 and symptoms severe enough to cause >5% weight loss in previous 3 months or interfere with research assessments
Sites / Locations
- Washington University School of Medicine
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Active Comparator
Placebo Comparator
Transdermal Testosterone gel (1%)
Placebo gel
Transdermal testosterone 1% gel (Androgel) provided as 2.5 gm and/or 5 gm gel packets with dose titration and monthly dose adjustments to achieve and maintain serum total testosterone level between 500-900 mg/dL. Gel to be applied daily by participants. Participants are blinded to the contents of the gel packets. Participants in this arm also perform supervised exercise training for 6 months.
Inactive topical gel identical in appearance to the active medication, provided in packets identical to the packaging for the active medication. Gel to be applied daily by participants. Participants are blinded to the contents of the gel packets. Participants in this arm also perform supervised exercise training for 6 months.