Intermanual differences in performing a visuoconstructional task.

OBJECTIVE

To examine intermanual differences in performing a clinical, visuoconstructional task. While many examiners have their hemiparetic patients complete visuospatial tasks with their nondominant hand, normative data have only been available based on dominant hand performance. This study sought to determine normal differences in intermanual visuoconstructional performance.

DESIGN

A group of individuals with no history of neurologic disorder completed a visuoconstruction task with their dominant and nondominant hands. Intermanual differences were compared.

SETTING

General metropolitan community.

PARTICIPANTS

Forty-four individuals with no history of psychiatric, neurologic, visual, or motor impairment. Mean age was 29 years. Mean education level was 16 years.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

Free-drawn clock drawings.

RESULTS

The intermanual difference was not significant (t(43) = 1.95, p = .06). Ninety-three percent scored within normal limits with their nondominant hand.

CONCLUSIONS

Use of the nondominant hand for clock drawing appears to be a reasonable alternative for those who are unable to use their dominant hand.