Findings from a new study reveal a link between low handgrip strength and higher likelihood of cognitive impairment in adults 50 years of age or older. Researchers reviewed data over an 8-year period from almost 14,000 people age 50 or older. They found that:
- Each 5-kilogram decrease in handgrip strength was linked to 10% greater odds of having any cognitive impairment.
- For those with severe cognitive impairment, the odds of a lower grip strength were 18% greater than for all others in the study.
The study’s findings suggest that assessing handgrip strength in older adults may be a cost effective, easy way to detect cognitive impairment—in combination with other measures—and identify those who may benefit from early interventions.
This study was funded by the National Institute on Aging (NIA) and appeared in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease. You can learn more about this study on the NIA website.
