The Association Between Handgrip Strength, Physical, and Cognitive Function Among Hospitalized Older Adults in Tanzania
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Authors
Walker, Richard
Issue Date
2025
Type
Preprint
Language
en
Keywords
Alternative Title
Abstract
Background
In older adults admitted to hospitals in high-income countries, handgrip strength (HGS) has been used
as an indicator of muscle strength and as a tool for identifying probable sarcopenia. In these settings,
weakness in HGS has been associated with poor cognitive performance and greater physical
dependency. The evidence suggests that HGS has potential as a predictor of adverse outcomes.
However, the relationships among muscle strength, cognition, and physical dependency remain
underexplored. This study examined the relationships between HGS and physical and cognitive function
among hospitalized older adults in Tanzania.
Methods
An observational multicentrecross-sectional study was conducted between March and August 2022
among 308 hospitalized older adults aged 60 years and older from medical wards across four hospitals
in Kilimanjaro. The primary outcome was the level of muscle strength and physical and cognitive
function. Muscle strength was measured with a handheld dynamometer. Physical function was
evaluated via the Barthel Index for Activities of Daily Living (ADL), and cognitive function was assessed
via the Identifying Dementia in Elderly Africans cognitive screen (IDEA-Cog).
Logistic regression modelling was used to determine the odds of poor physical or cognitive performance
across different levels of muscle strength.
Results
After adjusting for confounders, lower HGS was associated with poorer cognitive function (β = 0.454, OR
= 1.575, p < .001) and greater physical dependency (β = 0.304, OR = 1.355, p < .001). The regression
analysis indicated that an increase in grip strength led to improvements in cognitive performance and
reductions in physical dependency.
Conclusion and Implications
A lowerHGS was associated with poorer cognitive performance and greater physical dependency in this
population of older adults admitted to the hospital in a low- to middle-income setting. Future research
should explore its potential as a prognostic tool for identifying older adults at greatest risk of adverse
outcomes and for guiding targeted interventions
Description
Citation
Trinitas, J.K., Davidson., S.L., Murray, A. et al. (2025) The association between handgrip strength, physical, and cognitive function among hospitalized older adults in Tanzania. Research Square.
Publisher
Research Square