Hemispheric Brain Preference and Academic Parameters in Medical Students: A Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction: Hemispheric brain preference means using one side of the brain over the other to learn. Hemispheric brain preference may influence one’s learning style. This study aimed to investigate hemispheric brain preference and its relation with academic parameters in medical students. Methods: Four hundred participants were included in the study by cluster random sampling. Using self-administered questionnaires, data on personal profile (name, age, sex, handedness, academic score, study method, study hours per day and study pattern) and hemispheric brain dominance was collected. Open Hemispheric Brain Dominance Scale 1.0 (2015) was used to determine the hemispheric brain dominance. Result: Participants having no clear hemispheric brain preference (46.75%) were in majority followed by those with left hemispheric brain preference (29.25%) and then those with right hemispheric brain preference (24%). There was a statistically significant difference in academic score of students with different hemispheric brain preference (p=0.021). Students with left brain preference had the highest academic score (63.85±11.78) and those with no clear preference had the lowest (59.96±11.64). Also, students with left hemispheric brain preference would study more regularly and would spend more time in study per day. Conclusion: In our sample, participants with left hemispheric brain preference were found to have the highest mean academic score but they also spent more time in study and also studied regularly throughout the semester. As this study shows diversity in brain preference among medical students, we recommend a good mix of various teaching learning methods for better learning of the entire class.