Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41616761›Full record

ArticleJournal of cachexia, sarcopenia and muscle2026

Temporal Dynamics and Bidirectional Longitudinal Association Between Physical Function and Depressive Symptoms in Older Adults.

Belayneh Mengist, Mojtaba Lotfaliany, Julie A Pasco, Bruno Agustini, Michael Berk, Suzanne G Orchard, Joanne Ryan, Alice J Owen, Robyn L Woods, John J McNeil and 1 more

Abstract read
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Article in Journal of cachexia, sarcopenia and muscle, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
4citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

4 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
  3. Article
  4. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

11 authors.

Belayneh MengistSchool of Medicine, Deakin University, the Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation (IMPACT), Geelong, Victoria, Australia.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0363-8777
Mojtaba LotfalianySchool of Medicine, Deakin University, the Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation (IMPACT), Geelong, Victoria, Australia.
Julie A PascoSchool of Medicine, Deakin University, the Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation (IMPACT), Geelong, Victoria, Australia.
Bruno AgustiniSchool of Medicine, Deakin University, the Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation (IMPACT), Geelong, Victoria, Australia.
Michael BerkSchool of Medicine, Deakin University, the Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation (IMPACT), Geelong, Victoria, Australia.
Suzanne G OrchardSchool of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Joanne RyanSchool of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Alice J OwenSchool of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Robyn L WoodsSchool of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
John J McNeilSchool of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Mohammadreza MohebbiBiostatistics Unit, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia.

Funding

Monash University (Australia)National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) of Australia 1127060National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) of Australia 334047National Institute on Aging and the National Cancer Institute at the National Institutes of Health U01AG029824National Institute on Aging and the National Cancer Institute at the National Institutes of Health U19AG062682Victorian Cancer Agency (Australia)
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundPhysical function decline and depression are major challenges of the rapidly growing older population. This longitudinal study aimed to investigate the bidirectional longitudinal association between physical function and depressive symptoms, which are poorly understood in older adults.

methodsWe utilised data from the ASPirin in Reducing Events in the Elderly (ASPREE) clinical trial and extended follow-up cohort between 2010 and 2022. The presence of depressive symptoms was defined as a score of ≥ 8 on the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression 10-item scale. Physical function was assessed using gait speed for physical performance and handgrip strength for muscle strength. Gait speed and handgrip strength were categorised using the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP2) cut-off points. The bidirectional association between physical function and depressive symptoms was estimated using generalised estimating equations models. The robustness of the longitudinal bidirectional relationship was assessed using random-intercept cross-lagged panel models.

resultsAmong 19 114 ASPREE participants, 15 854 (56% females) older adults (mean age 75 years) were included in the analysis. During a median follow-up of 8.4 years, participants with combined poor physical performance and weak muscle strength had 81% higher odds of developing depressive symptoms compared to those with good performance and strength (OR = 1.81, 95% CI: 1.55-2.11). Conversely, participants with depressive symptoms had 70% higher odds of reduced physical function (combined poor physical performance and weak muscle strength) compared to those with no depressive symptoms (OR = 1.70, 95% CI: 1.61-1.80). The random-intercept cross-lagged panel models verified the bidirectional longitudinal associations between physical function and depressive symptoms across the follow-up waves.

conclusionsReduced physical function and depressive symptoms are associated bidirectionally over time of a similar magnitude. Understanding this reciprocal association is crucial for developing effective prevention and treatment strategies for physical and mental health conditions.

Indexed as

DepressionPhysical Functional PerformanceAgedAged, 80 and overFemaleHand StrengthHumansLongitudinal StudiesMaleMuscle Strengthdepressionmental healthphysical functionphysical health

Identifiers

PMID41616761
PMCPMC12858256

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.