Grip Strength Linked to Well-Being and Brain Connectivity, Study Finds

A recent study published on June 25, 2025, in the American Journal of Psychiatry reveals significant insights into the neurobiological underpinnings of psychomotor disturbances associated with psychiatric disorders. Conducted by researchers at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, the study establishes a correlation between grip strength, overall well-being, and the brain's default mode network (DMN). Psychomotor disturbances, which manifest as symptoms ranging from catatonia to repetitive movements, are prevalent in various psychiatric conditions. However, the neural mechanisms that contribute to these disturbances have long eluded researchers.

Senior author Dr. Alexandra Moussa-Tooks, an adjunct professor at Vanderbilt University and co-director of the Clinical and Cognitive Neuroscience Center, emphasized the growing interest in understanding psychomotor processes in the context of disease pathology. "The fundamental nature of the motor system enhances our ability to link psychological processes to brain symptoms, promoting clinically useful targets for intervention," stated Dr. Moussa-Tooks.

The study highlights grip strength as a vital indicator of both motor function and overall health. Traditionally, the relationship between grip strength and well-being has been attributed solely to mechanical impairments indicative of poorer physical health. Nonetheless, the current research challenges this notion by suggesting that brain correlates of grip strength extend beyond the motor system.

First author Dr. Heather Burrell Ward, an assistant professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, explained the innovative approach taken in the study. Utilizing data from the Human Connectome Project for Early Psychosis, which involved 206 participants, including those with early psychosis and healthy controls, the researchers conducted a connectome-wide analysis to uncover brain circuits linked to grip strength and well-being.

The findings revealed that higher grip strength was associated with increased connectivity among multiple brain regions linked to the DMN. Dr. Ward noted, "We identified significant relationships between brain regions and their connectivity patterns to the DMN, which were related to well-being and overall function. These results have profound implications for treating psychomotor function in psychotic disorders, as they suggest a unifying role of DMN connectivity in psychomotor disturbances."

Given these associations, the researchers propose that interventions aimed at enhancing DMN connectivity may provide effective treatments for psychomotor disturbances and improve overall well-being. One promising technique is repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), a noninvasive brain stimulation method that modulates DMN connectivity. Dr. Ward, who leads multiple clinical trials using rTMS for individuals with psychosis, remarked, "These results are exciting because they provide us with novel insights on what brain regions we should target to improve psychomotor function and overall well-being."

Overall, this groundbreaking research not only advances the understanding of the relationship between grip strength and brain connectivity but also opens new avenues for clinical interventions in psychiatric disorders. As researchers continue to unravel the complexities of psychomotor function and its neural correlates, the potential for developing innovative and effective treatments becomes increasingly attainable.