From Breath to Strength: Does Mindfulness Improve Handgrip Strength Among Older Adults in India? A Propensity Score Matching Analysis.
Psychogeriatrics : the official journal of the Japanese Psychogeriatric Society July 1, 2025 T Muhammad, Manacy Pai, Waad K Ali et al.
Engagement in mindfulness activities is associated with modest improvements in handgrip strength among older adults in India, with stronger effects in men than in women. Using data from over 27,000 adults aged 60 and older from the Longitudinal Aging Study in India, 17% of men and 11.5% of women reported practicing mindfulness activities. After propensity score matching, the average effect across the population was a 1.28 kg increase in handgrip strength for men and 0.60 kg for women. For men, the association was consistent across models, while for women it was weaker and only significant in some analyses. The findings suggest mindfulness practices may support healthier aging.