Moderating effect of grip strength in the association between cancer and depressive symptomatology

Purpose: Depression, as one of the leading causes of disease burden, frequently co-occurs with other diseases. Cancer seems to be strongly associated with depression more than any other disease. As an outcome of physical fitness, grip strength seems to have a protective effect on depression. This study aimed to analyse how grip strength moderates the relationship between cancer and depressive symptoms among older European adults. Methods Cross-sectional data from wave 8 (2019/2020), including 41701 participants (18003 men) of the population-based Survey of Health, Aging, and Retirement in Europe, were analysed. Grip strength, used as the moderator, was measured twice on each hand using a dynamometer. The EURO-D 12-item scale was used to measure depressive symptoms. Results Grip strength had a significant effect as a moderator in the association between cancer and depressive symptoms (male: B= -0.04, 95% CI = -0.04, -0.03; female: B = -0.06, 95% CI = -0.07, -0.06). Also, the grip strength moderation values are below 55.7kg for males and 39kg for females. Conclusions Muscular fitness, as measured by grip strength, moderated the relationship between cancer and depressive symptomatology. This supports the theory that recovery programs should include physical activity, namely muscle-strengthening exercises, to prevent depression.