Handgrip strength is associated with functioning in patients with mental disorders: A two-center cross-sectional study

Abstract

Physical and mental health are intricated, however, there is a paucity of studies investigating the association between self-reported global functioning and handgrip strength and functional capacity in people with mental disorders. This study investigated the association between functioning, handgrip strength, and functional capacity in outpatients with a range of mental disorders. This was a two-center, cross-sectional study. Functioning was assessed with the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 (WHODAS 2.0). Handgrip strength was assessed with a hand dynamometer, and functional exercise capacity through the 2-min walk test (2 MW T). Multiple linear regression analysis was used to identify the association between WHODAS 2.0, handgrip strength, and functional capacity, adjusted for study site, age, educational level, and severity of psychiatric symptoms. A total of 91 outpatients (mean age = 40.16 ± 13.49, 63.7% females) participated in the study. The mean functioning score was 26.77 (±8.74) out of 60 points, while the mean distance walked was 142.20 ± 34.40 m and the mean handgrip strength was 30.62 ± 11.17 kgf. The adjusted multiple linear regression analysis revealed that only handgrip strength (p = 0.008, 95%CI = -0.327 to -0.050) was associated with functioning. Thus, our results revealed that muscular strength is associated with functioning in patients with mental disorders. This study suggests the importance of incorporating physical health assessment into mental health care for a comprehensive assessment of functioning levels, which is usually restricted to mental symptoms.

Keywords: Disability and health; Hand strength; International classification of functioning; Mental disorders; Patient care team; Physical functional performance; Walk test.