Simple ‘tennis ball’ test acts as useful dementia indicator

People can try to spot one of the early signs of dementia by trying to complete a test using nothing but a tennis ball and their hands. Whilst it may seem peculiar, a few minutes spent doing the test could uncover crucial information about the state of your cognitive health.

Research has found that weak grip strength correlates with heightened risks of mental decline and developing disorders like dementia. Although this home-based assessment cannot definitively diagnose dementia or other neurological issues, it provides a distinctive « window » for medical professionals to recognise when something appears to be a problem.

Known online as Dr Bing, Dr Baibing Chen is a dual board-certified neurologist and epileptologist. In an Instagram clip, he claimed that this hand examination reveals an « inseparable » connection between cognitive health and physical strength, reports the Mirror.

He said: « One of the simplest and strongest physical markers that you have for brain ageing and your future risk of dementia is your grip strength. Now, this doesn’t mean that your grip strength is diagnostic of dementia, and it doesn’t mean that weak hands cause dementia, but it means that grip strength is a window into how well the brain and the body are talking to each other.

« Your brain has to coordinate nerves, muscles, sensations, timing and blood flow just to squeeze your hand, and when that system isn’t as strong, it often reflects a lower overall brain resilience. »

« What is interesting is that changes in changes in strength can show up quietly over time. In some types of dementia, especially vascular dementia or Lewy Body Disease, motor changes like strength or slowing can appear early. But, in Alzheimer’s, memory [issues] usually show up first.

« Different disease, different patterns – but grip strength still tracks overall brain health across populations. In my clinic, patients don’t come in saying ‘my grip is weak’. They say things like ‘I drop things more’, ‘my hands get tired faster’ or ‘I feel slower doing everyday stuff’. »

Dr Bing said that the crucial thing is « not to panic or obsess » if any of these patterns resemble something you’re experiencing. He stressed: « Many people with weak grip never develop dementia. »

How to test your own grip strength at home

People can purchase specialist equipment and devices to measure their grip strength. However, there’s no need to spend substantial amounts when a homemade alternative with a basic tennis or stress ball is just as good for this assessment.

• Position yourself comfortably with proper posture (feet flat, back upright) and your arm stretched forwards.
• Compress a ball in your hand with maximum force.
• Try to maintain your strongest squeeze for 15 to 30 seconds.
• Perform this exercise three times with each hand, noting how long you can sustain the squeeze.

This enables you to monitor your grip strength progressively. Grip strength is measured using a hand dynamometer.

Whilst the precise thresholds vary according to age and gender, certain research suggests that critical benchmarks for elevated risks of mortality and cognitive problems are approximately 22 kg for men and 14 kg for women.

Key evidence and findings

Extensive studies, such as the investigation involving more than 190,000 adults from the UK Biobank, have discovered that when grip strength diminishes by five kilograms, the likelihood of developing dementia rises by 12% to 20%. Possessing weak grip strength during midlife (ages 40–70) is frequently associated with cognitive deterioration a decade later, suggesting it could indicate early warning signs of changes before memory impairment becomes apparent.

This correlation is particularly pronounced for vascular dementia, where reduced muscle strength is commonly linked to indicators of small vessel disease in the brain, such as white matter hyperintensities. Individuals in the weakest 20% of grip strength have been shown to face up to a 72% greater risk of developing dementia compared to those in the strongest category.

What are the symptoms of dementia?

Research shows there are more than 944,000 people in the UK who have dementia. One in 11 people over the age of 65 has dementia in the UK.

The number of people with dementia is increasing because people are living longer. It is estimated that by 2030, the number of people with dementia in the UK will be more than one million.

According to the NHS, common early indicators of dementia include: