Abstract
BackgroundMuscular function, such as handgrip strength, has been suggested as an associated factor for cognitive impairment. This study investigated the association between temporal change in handgrip strength and cognitive function using longitudinal, nationwide data from Korean older adults.MethodsOur study used data from the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging (KLoSA). The analysis covered 6696 participants who had taken the handgrip strength test and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) from 2006 to 2018. We adopted general estimating equations to assess the temporal effect of handgrip strength change on cognitive function.ResultsAfter adjusting for covariates, we observed an association between handgrip strength and low MMSE scores (β = − 0.3142 in men, β = − 0.2685 in women). Handgrip strength as a continuous variable was positively correlated with MMSE scores after adjustment (β = 0.0293 in men, β = 0.0347 in women). The group with decreased handgrip strength over time also showed greater odds for mild cognitive impairment (OR = 1.23, 95%CI = 1.05–1.27 in men, OR = 1.15, 95%CI = 1.05–1.27 in women) and dementia (OR = 1.393, 95%CI = 1.18–1.65 in men, OR = 1.19, 95%CI = 1.08–1.32 in women).ConclusionsThis study identified the relationship between handgrip strength change and cognitive function among South Korean adults. According to our large, longitudinal sample, decreasing handgrip strength was associated with decline in cognitive function.
Highlights
Muscular function, such as handgrip strength, has been suggested as an associated factor for cognitive impairment
A longitudinal study conducted in the United States positively linked handgrip strength with cognitive function, and a cohort study on Mexican Americans showed the association between baseline handgrip strength and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores [18, 19]
A recent study using a longitudinal panel showed that lower handgrip strength was associated with a higher odds ratio for cognitive impairment in aging Americans [20]
Summary
Muscular function, such as handgrip strength, has been suggested as an associated factor for cognitive impairment. This study investigated the association between temporal change in handgrip strength and cognitive function using longitudinal, nationwide data from Korean older adults. Studies have suggested the various factors associated with cognitive impairment and the ways to prevent decline based on those factors. A recent study using a longitudinal panel showed that lower handgrip strength was associated with a higher odds ratio for cognitive impairment in aging Americans [20]. Few studies have investigated the association between changes in handgrip strength and cognitive impairment [17] The confirmation of such an association in a large sample and through longitudinal design study would be useful as a basis for preventing cognitive decline by modulating handgrip strength via strength exercises. We aimed to investigate the association between changes in handgrip strength and cognitive function in the Korean adult population based on a panel study, after adjusting for covariates that were assumed to affect cognitive function
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