Relationship between the quality of cognitive abilities, depression symptoms and various aspects of handgrip strength in the elderly

Abstract

Background/Aim. Both the cognitive and physical functioning changes occur within the normal ageing, suggesting possible common biological processes. The aging process is often characterized by a reduction of adaptive responses, an increasing vulnerability and functional limitations. Study is aimed to determine if there were correlations between achievement in particular cognitive abilities (verbal ability, spatial ability, processing speed, memory, verbal fluency, divergent thinking, memory, attention, executive functions, conceptualization, orientation, computation), depression symptoms and different dynamometric parameters of muscle contraction, during hand grip of both hands, in the elderly population. Methods. The sample consisted of 98 participants aged from 65 to 85, 16 males and 82 females. Neuropsychological assessment included Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Frontal Function Test (Go/No-Go), Categorical and Phonemic fluency tests and Geriatric Depression Scale Short Form (GDS-SF). Physical measures were assessed by Handgrip dynamometry tests (HG), and included: the maximum force (Fmax), maximal rate of force development (RFDmax), static endurance hand grip time realized at 50% of maximal HG force (tFmax50%) of dominant (Do) and non-dominant (NDo) hand. Results. Higher MoCA score was followed by higher values of muscle endurance of dominant hands. Higher values of Fmax of dominant hand was associated with higher values of Alternating Trail Making that is by visuoconstructive abilities (MoCA). The variable Categorical fluency was in a small, positive correlation with Fmax. No correlation of depressive symptoms with HG parameters was found except in subgroup of female subjects. Conclusions. Better cognitive performance was associated with better hand grip muscle strength. Therefore, handgrip strength can be a useful tool in geriatric practice in monitoring not only physical, but also cognitive function status and decline. The link between, lower cognitive functioning and lower hand grip variables, emphasize the need for increased awareness in clinical practice.