After all patients completed the final functional evaluation the UCB + EPO group showed significantly better outcomes than the control group in terms of the total Functional Independent Measure (FIM) (Δ15.00[12.50, 24.50] vs. Δ0.00[-13.00, 3.00], P = 0.009), FIM motor subscale (Δ14.00[10.00, 18.50] vs. Δ13.00[0.50, 3.50], P = 0.009), and Geriatric Depression Scale (Δ-3.00[-5.00, -2.00] vs. Δ6.00 [-1.00, 18.50], P = 0.016) scores. Here, EPO is linked to major depressive disorder.