From Breath to Strength: Does Mindfulness Improve Handgrip Strength Among Older Adults in India? A Propensity Score Matching Analysis

Abstract

Background: The integration of mindfulness activities into the daily lives of older adults has demonstrated profound benefits for their overall well-being and vitality. However, evidence on how mindfulness correlates with muscle strength in older adults remains limited. To fill this gap, we explored the association between mindfulness activities and handgrip strength (HGS) in older adults in India. We also examined whether this association varies by sex. Methods: We employed a propensity score matching technique, leveraging data from the nationally representative Longitudinal Aging Study in India (2017–2018), comprising 27071 adults aged 60 and above. HGS was measured using a handheld Smedley Hand Dynamometer while participants self-reported their engagement in mindfulness activities. Results: Seventeen % of the men and 11.5% of the women engaged in mindfulness activities. Analysis of the matched sample revealed that the average treatment effect (ATE) that represents the average effect across the entire population was 1.28kg for men and 0.60kg for women, indicating that, on average, participation in mindfulness activities was associated with modest im provements in HGS for both sexes. Further, in the PSM matched regression models, for men, engagement in mindfulness activ ities was consistently associated with higher HGS across all models including the average treatment effect on the treated (ATT), on the untreated (ATU), and ATE, with the largest effect seen in the ATE model (β=1.08, 95% CI: 0.77–1.40). For women, the association was weaker and significant only in the unmatched and ATE models. Conclusions: Engagement in mindfulness activities was associated with modest but meaningful improvements in HGS among older adults in India, with the associations being much more pronounced in older Indian men. These findings underscore the significance of integrating mindfulness practices into public health initiatives aimed at promoting healthier aging.