Handgrip Strength Is Associated with Poorer Cognitive Functioning in Aging Americans

Article type: Research Article

Authors: McGrath, Ryan^a | Robinson-Lane, Sheria G.^b | Cook, Summer^c | Clark, Brian C.^{d; e; f} | Herrmann, Stephen^g | O’Connor, Melissa Lunsman^h | Hackney, Kyle J.^a

Affiliations: [a] Department of Health, Nutrition, and Exercise Sciences, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, USA | [b] School of Nursing, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA | [c] Department of Kinesiology, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH, USA | [d] Ohio Musculoskeletal and Neurological Institute, Ohio University, Athens, OH, USA | [e] Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ohio University, Athens, OH, USA | [f] Department of Geriatric Medicine, Ohio University, Athens, OH, USA | [g] Sanford Research, Sioux Falls, SD, USA | [h] Department of Human Development and Family Science, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, USA

Correspondence: [*] Correspondence to: Ryan McGrath, Department of Health, Nutrition, and Exercise Sciences, North Dakota State University, NDSU Dept. 2620, PO Box 6050, Fargo, ND 58108, USA. Tel.: +1 701 231 7474; Fax: +1 701 231 8872; E-mail: [email protected].

Abstract: Background:Measures of handgrip strength may show promise for detecting cognitive erosion during aging. Objective:To determine the associations between lower handgrip strength and poorer cognitive functioning for aging Americans. Methods:There were 13,828 participants aged at least 50 years from the 2006 wave of the Health and Retirement Study included and followed biennially for 8 years. Handgrip strength was assessed with a hand-held dynamometer and cognitive functioning was assessed with a modified version of the Mini-Mental State Examination. Participants aged <65 years with scores 7– 11 had a mild cognitive impairment, ≤6 had a severe cognitive impairment, and ≤11 had any cognitive impairment. Respondents aged ≥65 years with scores 8– 10 had a mild cognitive impairment, ≤7 had a severe cognitive impairment, and ≤10 had any cognitive impairment. Separate covariate-adjusted multilevel logistic models examined the associations between lower handgrip strength and any or severe cognitive impairment. A multilevel ordered logit model analyzed the association between lower handgrip strength and poorer cognitive functioning. Results:Every 5-kg lower handgrip strength was associated with 1.10 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.04, 1.15) and 1.18 (CI: 1.04, 1.32) greater odds for any and severe cognitive impairment, respectively. Similarly, every 5-kg lower handgrip strength was associated with 1.10 (CI: 1.05, 1.14) greater odds for poorer cognitive functioning. Conclusions:Measurement of handgrip strength is a simple, risk-stratifying method for helping healthcare providers determine poorer cognitive functioning. Interventions aiming to prevent or delay cognitive dysfunction should also implement measures of handgrip strength as an assessment tool for determining efficacy.

Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease, cognition, dementia, frailty, geriatrics, muscle strength, muscle weakness

DOI: 10.3233/JAD-190042

Journal: Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, vol. 70, no. 4, pp. 1187-1196, 2019