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. 2025 Mar;15(3):e70381.
doi: 10.1002/brb3.70381.

The Relationship Between Grip Strength and Cognitive Impairment: Evidence From NHANES 2011-2014

Wenyi Nie  1 , Jingqing Hu  1   2
Affiliations

The Relationship Between Grip Strength and Cognitive Impairment: Evidence From NHANES 2011-2014

Wenyi Nie et al. Brain Behav. 2025 Mar.

Abstract

Background: Prior research has consistently shown an association between muscle strength and various metabolic diseases. However, the relationship between muscle strength and cognitive impairment remains elusive.

Methods: Using data from the 2011-2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), we investigated the association between muscle strength and cognitive impairment. We used multivariate logistic regression, restricted cubic spline regression (RCS), and threshold effects to investigate the impact of muscle strength on cognitive function. In addition, we analyzed the correlation between muscle strength and cognitive impairment in subgroups of age, gender, race, education, smoking status, drinking status, hypertension, diabetes, and heart disease.

Results: 2124 participants were ultimately included for further analysis. Multivariate logistic regression, trend testing, and RCS analysis showed a non-linear negative correlation between muscle strength and cognitive impairment. Threshold effect analysis suggests that when muscle strength reaches a certain value, this relationship undergoes significant changes. In the three cognitive function scoring tests, interaction was only observed in the racial subgroup.

Conclusion: This study suggests a negative correlation between muscle strength and cognitive function, which may have a threshold effect. Further longitudinal studies are needed to elucidate its potential mechanisms.

Keywords: NHANES; cognitive impairment; grip strength; muscle strength; older adults.

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Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Flowchart of participants in this study.
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
Subgroup analysis of grip strength and risk of cognitive impairment under different diagnostic methods.
FIGURE 3
FIGURE 3
Non‐linear relationship between log‐grip strength and CERAD, AF, and DSST.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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