Relationship between Physical Activity, Hand Grip Strength, and Malnutrition Status in Neurodegenerative Diseases: A Case-Control Study

Öz

Objective: To determine the relationship between physical activity level, hand grip asymmetry, and nutritional status in geriatric individuals with and without neurodegenerative diseases. Methods: This research was conducted in a nursing home in Istanbul between November 2023 and March 2024. The study included geriatric individuals aged 65 years and older with neurodegenerative diseases as the study group and age-matched controls with no evidence of neurodegeneration. Data collection involved sociodemographic surveys, anthropometric measurements, hand grip strength measurements, International Physical Activity Questionnaire and Mini Nutritional Assessment tests. Results: The mean age of study group was 76.7±7.3 and 74.3±7.5 years in control group. The study group had a higher malnutrition risk (59.3%) compared to controls, who showed predominantly normal nutritional status (66.7%, p=0.031). Hand grip strength measurements revealed greater asymmetry in the study group (74.1% vs. 33.3% with no asymmetry, p=0.003), along with significantly lower mean hand grip strength values on the right (13.3±6.4 vs. 22.1±7.6) and left hand (12.4±6.3 vs. 21.0±7.2, both p<0.001). The median hand grip strength ratio was also lower in the study group (0.8 [0.7-0.8] vs. 1.0 [0.9-1.0], p<0.001). In minimally active participants, neurodegenerative disease strongly correlated with increased hand grip strength asymmetry (87.5% vs. 29.2%, p<0.001), while no significant asymmetry association was observed in inactive individuals (p=0.707). Conclusion: Handgrip strength and its asymmetry may offer promise for early detection and monitoring of neurodegenerative diseases in older adults. We propose that these tests be incorporated into geriatric clinical assessments to improve early intervention strategies.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Geriatrics
• handgrip strength
• neurodegenerative diseases
• nutritional status
• physical activity

Proje Numarası

TÜBİTAK 2209-A 1919B012310692

Kaynakça

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