Effects of left-hand preference on postinjury measures of distal motor ability.
The relationship of preinjury left-hand dominance for motor performance to postinjury distal motor skills following penetrating brain wounds in patients without overt hemiplegia was examined. We studied 13 controls, 13 right-hemisphere brain-damaged patients, and 11 left-hemisphere brain-damaged patients on motor tasks measuring reaction time, strength, and coordination. Our results indicated that no persistent deficits were seen on distal motor tasks in left-handed adults who suffered a penetrating brain wound. These findings are compatible with the relative sparing of persistent neuropsychological deficits in left-handers following brain damage.
D000328:Adult; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000523:psychology*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D007839:Functional Laterality; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009048:Motor Skills; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D011930:Reaction Time; D014950:Wounds, Penetrating / Q000523:psychology*