Author(s): George Darmadi Adikara, Zahrasari Lukita Dewi, Nicholas Hardi, Ignatio Rika Haryono and Nawanto Agung Prastowo

Abstract:
Medical students are at higher risk of stress. This puts medical students vulnerable to depression and higher cortisol levels. Cortisol is suggested to reduce muscle mass, which decreases muscle mass and low hand grip strength. This study aims to investigate the correlation between hand grip strength and symptoms of depression among medical students. This is a cross-sectional study involving 90 medical students. Hand grip strength data was evaluated using a digital dynamometer. Depression was assessed using Indonesian DASS-42. Significance was set at p<0.05. Most of the participants (62.2%) had low hand grip strength, while 16.7% of participants had symptoms of mild to very severe depression. Gender was associated with handgrip strength (p=0.047), but not depression (p=0.32). A significant correlation was found between hand grip strength and depressive symptoms in males and overall (r=-0.5 and 0.3, respectively, p< 0.05). Hand grip strength has a negative weak-moderate correlation with depression among medical students.

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