Hand Preference Questionnaire Research Articles

The Relationship Between Hand Preference and Mandibular Asymmetry: A Preliminary Study

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship between functional laterality (hand preference) and mandibular asymmetry in skeletal Class I, normodivergent patients.
 Methods: 21 left-handed and 40 right-handed Class I normodivergent patients were included in the study. The hand preferences of the participants were determined by using the Oldfied hand preference questionnaire. Mandibular condylar height (CH), ramal height (RH), and total height (CH+RH) were measured on pretreatment panoramic radiographic images of the patients, and asymmetry values were obtained according to the formula of asymmetry indices. Data were analyzed with the Student’s t-test and Pearson chi-square.
 Results: Right and left CH values were greater in left-handed patients than in right-handed patients. Right and left RH and CH+RH values were greater in right-handed patients than in left-handed. However, there was no difference between the measurements (p > .05). There was no significant relationship between the functional values and hand-use preference (p > .05).
 Conclusions: Hand use preference was not associated with condylar, ramal, and total mandibular asymmetry.

Psychological assessment of event-related motor potential in different brain regions in carrying out simple and complicated tasks

Introduction: Training in a certain skill not only culminates in better motor performance but also leads to neural adjustments and regulations in different brain regions. Aim: The present study aimed to psychologically assess event-related motor potential in motor-related cortical regions during simple and complicated tasks. Method: The current research was of a semi-experimental type with a single-phase post-test design without a control group. The participants of the present study consisted of all 20-32-year-old right-handed male table tennis players in Tehran, in 2019. A total of 8 samples were selected via convenience sampling. Data were collected at the National Brain Mapping Laboratory. Annett Hand Preference Questionnaire (1970), Ocular Dominance Testing Card (1910), the Newgy Robo Pong Model 2050 Digital Table Tennis Robot, and the Specific Test for Table Tennis Stroke (2016) were used to record speed from Radar gun, and cameras and judges’ scoring were also used to measure accuracy. Moreover, the two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) statistical test was employed to assess the differences in two levels of task complexity in SPSS software version 24. Results: The results showed that the motor potential in the primary motor cortex region had a greater range in the simple task than in the complicated task (P=0.012); however, the premotor (P=0.008) and the posterior parietal cortical regions (P=0.026) of the complicated task had larger ranges than the simple task. Conclusion: According to the results of this study, the motor potential range is dependent on the task complexity level. Therefore, it is suggested that tasks with different complexity levels be taken into account in investigating event-dependent potentials.

Prevalence of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Symptoms Among Young Dentists.

Objectives Although age is a risk factor, carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) can also affect younger individuals, particularly those involved in activities or occupations that require repetitive hand movements, forceful gripping, or prolonged wrist flexion/extension. This case-control study aimed to examine the prevalence of CTS symptoms and frequent object dropping among a group of young dentists who are exposed to CTS risk factors. Additionally, other reported risk factors for CTS, such as sex, obesity, and square wrist sign, were also investigated. Methods A total of 74 dentists (48 women, mean age 28.5 years), who are working at Istanbul Faculty of Dentistry, the largest dental school in Istanbul, which is the biggest city in Turkey, were included in the study. Additionally, 61 age- and sex-matched controls (38 women, mean age 27.9 years) were also recruited. The Edinburgh Hand Preference Questionnaire, Boston Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Questionnaire (BCTQ), a questionnaire for object dropping and occupational hand usage, anthropometric measurements of the hands, clinical neurologic examination, and electromyography intended for the detection of CTS were performed. Results The dentists had a higher total weekly hand usage duration compared to the controls (66.3 vs 44.8 hours, p<0.001). BCTQ scores and the frequency of object dropping were also significantly higher in dentists compared to controls (respective p values: 0.011, 0.003). Positive correlations were found between BCTQ scores, hand usage durations, and object dropping (respective p values: 0.001, <0.001). BCTQ scores were higher in women than in men (p=0.027). Electrophysiologic evidence of CTS was found in one dentist. Conclusions Symptoms of CTS may manifest in individuals at a younger age than predicted, primarily influenced by their occupation and the duration of hand usage. Dentists, in particular, report a higher incidence of complaints related to object dropping, which can be attributed to their frequent use of specialized tools and engagement in delicate tasks, resulting in heightened awareness. However, it can also potentially serve as an indicator of CTS.

HAND PREFERENCE (HP), DISEASES ANDTALENT-IS THERE ANY ASSOCIATION?

Paper presents a study conducted on hand preferences (Hp)-right and left handed men and women, to reveal the relationship with their respective talents and health disorders. The four tests were used to determine the relationship between the talents and disorders: i. Mental Rotation Test (MRT), ii. Words and Spelling Test (WST), iii. Health Related Questionnaire (HRQ) and iv. Hand Preference Questionnaire (HPQ).It revealed the extent of talents and frequencies of various neurological &amp; physical disorders among right and left handed male and female subjects. It further shows the left handers revealed no elevated spatial ability and no elevated incidence of learning problems, allergies, psychological, accidents and other diseases. It indicates to some extent a relationship between Hp and sex with talents and disorders. The observation of sex and Hp in spatial and verbal ability do not support for the effect. Males did not report any particular disorders. But there was a complex relationship between Hp and allergic and physical disorders in right and left-hand preferences

Reconsidering the Relationship Between Hand Preference and Cerebral Vascular Dominance: A Computed Tomography (CT) Angiography Study.

To date, it has been suggested that there may be many genetic, environmental, and vascular factors that affect hand preference. In previous studies evaluating the relationship between cerebral dominance and hand preference, carotid and vertebral artery (VA) Doppler ultrasonography (USG) was generally preferred; and these studies only measured VA diameters. Unlike other studies, we aimed to reevaluate the relationship between hand preference and cerebral vascular dominance by measuring VA and internal carotid artery (ICA) diameters. In addition, we used carotid and VA computed tomography (CT) angiography instead of Doppler USG. A total of 345 participants were included in the study. The results of carotid and VA CT angiography taken during hospitalization were retrospectively evaluated by two radiologists, and the Edinburgh Hand Preference Questionnaire was applied to these patients. In right-handed patients, the diameter of the left VA was significantly larger than the diameter of the right VA (p = 0.005). In left-handed patients, the diameter of the left ICA was larger than the diameter of the right ICA, but the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.055). There was no significant difference between the diameter of the right and left ICA in right-handed patients (p = 0.771). In our study, we found a correlation between the dominant hemisphere VA diameter and hand preference. Using CT angiography, we were able to eliminate many challenges of ultrasonography that make radiological evaluation difficult, such as differences of opinion between radiologists, and technical and anatomical reasons.

Hand and foot preference in two cultures

ABSTRACTAdult participants from India and France were requested to respond to hand and foot preference questionnaires. The items of the questionnaires assessed the choice of the preferred hand and foot on a scale that ranged from extreme left preference through no preference to extreme right preference. Results showed that both groups were more right lateralized for hand actions, whereas foot preferences were less right lateralized and spread across extreme right preference to no preference on the laterality index continuum for men and women. As compared to requiring large numbers for consistency in hand preferences across geographical regions, trends in the lateralization of hand and foot preferences may be consistently obtained with smaller samples. The study reveals the existing difference in lateral preferences between the upper and lower limbs that is sustained regardless of culture or geographical location and indicates the need for further investigation to know why the lower limbs are less lateralized than the upper limbs.

Evaluation of Tear Fluid and Ocular Dominance in Patients with Refractive Error

Tear fluid has a critical role for the function of the refraction index of the light and the quality of the image. The purpose of this study is to compare tear fluid and ocular dominance in patients with refractive errors. One hundred three patients with mean age of 35.63±14.95 who was referred to ophthalmology service for refraction examination were enrolled to the study. The handedness and ocular dominance were determined by the Edinburgh hand preference questionnaire and other tests. Visual acuity was tested by ophthalmological methods and Schirmer test was administered in patients. Our study was included seventy-three female and thirty male patients. Right hand-dominance was found as 94.1% and right eye dominance as 66.0%. Myopia was higher in both right (- 0 .74±1.16D) and left eye (-0.68±1.01D) dominance. There were statically negative correlation between hypermetropia degree and tear volume in the left eye (p= 0.015; r = -0.240) there is a negative non-statically correlation for the right eye (p=0.060; r= -0.186). There was no correlation either between the myopia degree and tear fluid, eye dominance, tear fluid. The existence of a negative correlation between the amounts of hypermetropia with tear fluid, suggesting that the evaluation of tear fluid should be considered in clinical significance.

Comparison of Vestibular Function Between Right and Left Handed Normal Population

Objective To identify the side of vestibular dominance in right handed &amp; left handed people.&#x0D; Method A total of 50 normal subjects, aged between 15 - 45 years were included as Left handers (n = 25) and Right handers (n = 25). Handedness was confirmed by the Annett Hand Preference Questionnaire. Bithermal caloric testing was done which was recorded by Electronystagmography (ENG). Maximum Slow Phase Velocity (MSPV) was taken as the parameter of choice. Directional Preponderance (DP) and Canal Paresis (CP) were calculated in each group.&#x0D; Results Out of the 25 Left handed subjects, 8 had DP towards Left whereas 7 had DP towards the Right and the remaining 10 showed no DP to any side (normal) (p&lt;0.001). Out of the 25 Right handed subjects, 4 had DP towards Right and none had DP towards the Left, remaining 21 showed no DP to any side (normal) (p&lt;0.001). For CP, out of 25 Left handed subjects, 2 showed CP towards the Left and 1 towards the Right, the remaining 22 showed no CP (normal) at all. Similarly out of the 25 Right handed subjects, 2 showed CP towards the Left and 1 towards the Right, the remaining 22 showed no CP (normal) at all. Out of 25 Right handers, it was found that Right handers showed Right vestibular preference whereas vestibular preference was almost equally distributed to Left and Right side in Left handers.&#x0D; Conclusion On considering DP, it was found that Right handers showed Right vestibular preference whereas vestibular preference was almost equally distributed toLeft and Right side in Left handers (p&lt;0.001).

Improvement of Speech Function in Patients with Aphasia: The Right Hemisphere, an Enemy or a Friend?

The purpose of our research is to investigate interhemispheric language functional reorganization in patients with gliomas of the left hemisphere using functional magnetic resonance tomography (fMRI) in comparison with the dynamics of speech disorders. A total of 20 patients with a glioma in the left hemisphere underwent fMRI examination and Luria’s neuropsychological testing. The age of patients varied from 26 to 67 years; the mean age was 40 years (median, interquartile range; 13 women and 7 men). The glioma was located in the frontal lobe (12 patients) 34.50–49.75 years; or in the temporal lobe (8 patients). All patients underwent both fMRI scanning and neuropsychological testing on the same day before the surgery and then 3–10 days and 3, 5–7, 12 months after tumor surgery. The handedness was determined by using self-assessment and the Annett Hand Preference Questionnaire. Almost all the subjects were right-handed, and one was ambidexter. On the basis of the analysis of fMRI data in dynamics, all subjects were divided into two groups: (1) patients with no signs of activation of the right hemisphere homologues of Broca’s and Wernicke’s areas (even in 4 patients with severe aphasia) during the follow-up period (at least one year), and (2) patients with signs of activation in the right-sided Broca’s and Wernicke’s areas, which were found in at least several tests (16 patients; 3 of them had normal speech function during the whole follow-up period). We conclude that the lack of consistency between the presence/absence of aphasia and the activation of homologous speech areas in the right hemisphere in fMRI results from individual differences in the involvement of the right hemisphere in speech processes. Thus, we should be very cautious about the hypothesis of reciprocal relationships of the hemispheres in speech function and the use of this hypothesis in speech rehabilitation.

P255 Carpal tunnel syndrome and object dropping in young dentists

Objectives Some patients with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) complain of difficulty in gripping and dropping objects. Occupationally extensive and long-term use of the hands is a risk factor for CTS. In this study, the prevalence of CTS and object dropping complaints were analysed in relation to body-Mass Index (BMI) and anthropometric hand measurements in a group of dentists with long working hours. Methods 79 dentists (53 females, mean age 28.5 ± 3.9) and 50 age and gender-matched controls [30 females, mean age 26.4 ± 5.8] were included. Clinical examination, hand preference questionnaire, Boston Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Questionnaire (BCTQ), anthropometric measurements of the hands and a questionnaire for frequent object dropping were performed. Electromyography was performed in 21 dentists and 10 controls. Results Weekly occupational hand usage was higher in dentists than controls [33.6 ± 13 vs 12.8 ± 13 h]. The prevalence of frequent object dropping was also higher in dentists (24.1% vs 10%). Although symptoms suggestive of CTS were present in 13 dentists, objective CTS findings were found in only 1. Clinical examination and BCTQ findings showed no significant difference between the groups. There were no significant correlation between the anthropometric measurements and BCTQ scores and frequent object dropping. Discussion and conclusions The probable cause of the low prevalence of CTS in our dentist group may be the young age. The complaint of frequent object dropping can be explained by their increased awareness about their hand function. Significance The relation between object dropping, CTS and the associated features were investigated in a group with occupational excessive hand usage.

P259 Object dropping in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Clinical and electrophysiological features

Objectives Some patients with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) complain of dropping objects. In this study, the clinical and electrophysiological features of CTS patients with (wOD) and without object dropping (w/oOD) were compared. Methods 52 female cases (age range: 21–80) consisting of 20 wOD, 16 CTS w/oOD patients and 16 healthy controls were included. Clinical evaluation included neurological examination, hand preference questionnaire, Boston Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Questionnaire (BCTQ), a questionnaire for frequent object dropping and records of weekly hand usage. Nerve conduction studies (NCSs) were composed of bilateral orthodromic median 2nd finger and ulnar 5th finger sensory NCSs, median-ulnar ring finger sensory latency comparison, and median and ulnar motor NCSs. Median nerve was stimulated at palm, wrist and elbow. Conduction velocity and compound muscle action potential (CMAP) amplitude loss across the wrist was calculated. Results In wOD cases, mean age was older (59 vs. 53 years), symptom duration (42 vs. 29 months) and weekly occupational hand usage times (47 vs. 39 h) were longer, BCTQ symptom severity (2.9 vs. 2.5) and functional status scores (3.1 vs. 2.4) were higher. Sensory and motor NCSs abnormalities were more prominent on the dominant side in wOD, while they were similar on the non-dominant side in both groups. CMAP amplitude loss across the wrist was higher on the dominant side in wOD (27.8% vs. 13.3%). Discussion and conclusion Frequent object dropping may be a sign of severity and chronicity in CTS. Significance The relation between frequent object dropping and clinical and electrophysiological severity of CTS was investigated.

Fractionating negative and positive affectivity in handedness: Insights from the Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory of personality

ABSTRACTThe Annett Hand Preference Questionnaire (AHPQ), as modified by Briggs and Nebes [(1975). Patterns of hand preference in a student population. Cortex, 11(3), 230–238. doi:10.1016/s0010-9452(75)80005-0], was administered to a sample of 177 participants alongside the Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory of Personality Questionnaire [RST-PQ; Corr, P. J., & Cooper, A. (2016). The Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory of Personality Questionnaire (RST-PQ): Development and validation. Psychological Assessment. doi:10.1037/pas000], which measures two factors of defensive negative emotion, motivation and affectivity—the Behavioural Inhibition System (BIS) and the Fight–Flight–Freeze System (FFFS)—and one positive-approach dimension related to reward sensitivity, persistence and reactivity—the Behavioural Approach System. We sought to clarify the nature of negative, and positive, affectivity in relation to handedness. ANOVAs and multiple regression analyses converged on the following conclusions: left-handers were higher on the BIS, not the FFFS, than right-handers; in right-handers only, strength of hand preference was positively correlated with the FFFS, not the BIS. The original assessment method proposed by Annett was also used to assess handedness, but associations with RST-PQ factors were not found. These findings help us to clarify existing issues in the literature and raise new ones for future research.

Handedness and schizotypy: The potential effect of changing the writing-hand

Mixed-handedness, which has been associated with schizotypy in recent studies, might exist for at least two different reasons: it is innate or it has been forced. We examined whether the association between mixed-handedness and schizotypy differs depending on its source. We enrolled 3485 college students in Taiwan. We used both the Perceptual Aberration Scale and Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire to assess schizotypy, and the Annett Hand Preference Questionnaire to assess handedness. Two ways of classifying handedness were examined: the three-way classification based on Annett's categories and mixed- vs. non-mixed-handedness based on Degree of Handedness. Both mixed-handedness groups showed higher positive schizotypy scores. Among mixed handers, those who had been required to change their writing hand from left to right had higher positive schizotypy scores. Being forced to change writing hand seemed to be related to a higher level of schizotypy. The potential effect of the social pressure against using the left hand for writing is discussed.

Handedness and behavioural inhibition system/behavioural activation system (BIS/BAS) scores: A replication and extension of Wright, Hardie, and Wilson (2009)

The Annett Hand Preference Questionnaire (AHPQ) as modified by Briggs and Nebes was administered along with Carver and White's behavioural inhibition system (BIS) and behavioural activation system (BAS) scale and a shortened form of the Big Five personality questionnaire to 92 university students. After eliminating the data from five respondents who reported having changed handedness and one outlier, there was a significant sex difference in mean BIS scores, with females (n = 43) scoring higher than males (n = 43). Replicating the results of Wright, Hardie and Wilson, non-right-handers (n = 36) had significantly higher mean BIS score than right-handers (n = 50). Controlling for sex of participant, neuroticism and BAS sub-scale scores in hierarchical regression analyses left this BIS effect substantially unaffected. There was no handedness or sex difference on any of the three BAS sub-scales. Further analyses revealed no association between strength, as distinct from direction, of handedness and BIS (or BAS) scores. The findings are discussed with reference to recent developments in reinforcement sensitivity theory on which BIS/BAS variables are based.

Cognitive functioning among patients with schizophrenia in a Nigerian hospital: a comparison with mood disorder

ObjectiveThe study aimed to investigate correlates of cognition among patients with schizophrenia. MethodsOver a three month period, in-patients diagnosed with schizophrenia (n = 50) and mood disorders (n = 50) were recruited into the study. Both groups of patients were assessed using the Schedules for Clinical Assessment in Neuropsychiatry (SCAN), the Annett Hand Preference Questionnaire (AHPQ) and the Global Assessment of Function Scale (GAF). Patients with schizophrenia were further assessed using the Positive and Negative Syndromes Scale, PANSS and the Clinical Global impression (CGI). The cognitive screen section of SCAN (comprising Verbal Trails Test and Mini Mental State examination, MMSE) and the cognitive factor of PANSS were used to assess cognitive function. ResultsNo differences were found in the cognitive profile of patients with schizophrenia and mood disorder. Among patients with schizophrenia, poor verbal performance was associated with the negative or mixed syndrome (p = 0.004), left or mixed handedness (p = 0.013), greater illness severity (p = 0.030) and lower GAF scores (p = 0.039). Poor performance on MMSE correlated with higher total PANSS score (p = 0.022) and was also associated with the negative or mixed syndrome (p = 0.003) and lack of clinical improvement (p = 0.035). ConclusionPatients with the negative or mixed schizophrenia syndrome may suffer more cognitive deficit. Poor verbal performance among patients with schizophrenia may be associated with left or mixed handedness, more severe illness and poor functioning.

The Relationship of Hand Dominance and Dominant Eye to Some Diseases of University Students

There are studies about right hemisphere dominance in the direction of slowing the development of the body’s immune mechanisms. In these studies, the clinical condition of the subject associated with cerebral the lateralization, in some patient subgroups left hand dominance and increased rates are seen to be two handedness. In our study, we had investigated the hand preference and eye dominance relationships with some of the diseases. 95 students were applied exactly “Annett Hand Preference Questionnaire”, “Beck Depression Inventory”, dominant eye test. Subjects were asked if they had the diagnosis of any cardiovascular, respiratory system, digestive system, urogenital system, nervous system, musculoskeletal system, endocrine system diseases or rheumatic diseases, allergy, diabetes, vision, hearing and speech problems. In this study, both handedness and right-handedness rates in males and women with left-handedness rate are more common, although there was no significant difference between hand preference and gender. 50.5% of the participants have the dominant eye as left. The right eye dominance rate in women is higher than men. There was no significant difference between gender and eye dominance. In this study the relationship between eye dominance and hand dominance was not statistically significant. In the comparison of left-handedness and neurological diseases was found as significance ( p=0.025). According to the results of the Beck Depression Inventory, there were not a significant difference when the participants’ emotional states, compared to the dominant eye and hand preference. In addition to many factors on immune mechanisms of cerebral hemisphere dominance may be affective must be known. On this subjects with new studies pathophysiology of many neuroendocrine, neuroimmune psychiatric disorders of treatment approaches that can illuminate accordingly to be able to change.

Patterns of hand preference in Italian adolescent high-school students

The Annett Hand Preference Questionnaire (AHPQ) is amongst the most widely used self-report measures of handedness. The psychometric properties of the AHPQ have been rarely evaluated outside the Anglo-Saxon culture where the majority of the studies on the AHPQ were done. In this study, 1,023 students (males = 49.5%) from four large high schools operating in the district of Cagliari (Italy) were invited to fill in the Italian version of the AHPQ. The AHPQ was proved to measure a unidimensional latent trait, and the questionnaire was good at assessing deviation from right-handedness with high discrimination between subjects. Some items were more informative than others, and in particular the non-equivalence between the primary and the non-primary actions was confirmed by both the confirmatory factor and the item response theory analysis. The use of the rule of thumb that classifies subjects on the basis of the primary actions was supported for the distinction between consistent right- and left-handed. However, the mixed-handed group identified on the basis of the rule of thumb was not entirely consistent with the mixed-handed class predicted by the latent class analysis. Males were about twice as likely as females to be in the mixed-handed class.

Psychotic-like symptoms and positive schizotypy are associated with mixed and ambiguous handedness in an adolescent community sample

The objective of this study was to replicate the association between atypical handedness and psychosis-proneness in a representative sample of adolescents from the general population. It expands previous studies by (1) analyzing a variety of atypical handedness indexes (left, mixed, ambiguous, and inconsistent), (2) measuring comprehensively the multidimensionality of psychosis-proneness, and (3) analyzing the association of different patterns of atypical handedness with nonclinical dimensions of both trait (schizotypy) and sub-clinical symptom (psychotic-like experiences) levels. Seven hundred and twenty-eight adolescents were assessed for handedness by the 12-item self-report Annett Hand Preference Questionnaire and for psychosis-proneness by the Oxford-Liverpool Inventory of Feelings and Experiences and the Community Assessment of Psychic Experiences scales. Writing-hand alone did not detect associations between laterality and psychosis-proneness. Mixed- rather than left-handedness was related to psychosis-proneness, and this was more evident when analyzing subjects with ambiguous handedness exclusively. When analysis was restricted to subjects with non-ambiguous handedness, strong left-handedness was related to psychosis-proneness. The positive dimension showed a stronger association than the negative one with atypical handedness. Results partially support mixed-handedness as a marker of developmental disorders underlying both atypical lateralization and psychosis-proneness. Among various possible mixed-handedness patterns, inconsistent hand use across primary actions, and for the same action across time, seems particularly related to psychosis-proneness and thus requires further exploration.

Measuring hand preference: A comparison among different response formats using a selected sample

Hand preference (HP) is a major behavioural variable for inferring individual differences in neurological organisation. Yet, despite the extensive use of HP measures for both research and clinical purposes, there is little research on the properties of the structural features of HP questionnaires, the most common method of HP measurement. We study here the effects of different response formats of HP questionnaires on participants' responses. A total of 200 volunteers (100 left-handers, 50 male; 100 right-handers, 50 male) completed two versions of a composite HP questionnaire containing the items of the Annett, Edinburgh, Healy, and Waterloo instruments, one with a binary response format and the other with a 5-point graded response format. The tendency towards extreme responses and the mapping between a graded either response and a binary left/right response were investigated. It was found that both patterns were significantly influenced by participant handedness, but not by sex. Finally, in terms of the overall ordering of participants by HP measures, considerable consistency was found across questionnaire content and response format.

Patterns of hand preference for pairs of actions and the classification of handedness

Pairs of actions such as write x throw and throw x racquet were examined for items of the Annett hand preference questionnaire (AHPQ). Right (R) and left (L) responses were described for frequencies of RR, RL, LR, and LL pairings (write x throw etc.) in a large representative combined sample with the aim of discovering the distribution over the population as a whole. The frequencies of RL pairings varied significantly over the different item pairs but the frequencies of LR pairings were fairly constant. An important difference was found between primary actions (originally write, throw, racquet, match, toothbrush, hammer with the later addition of scissors for right-handers) and non-primary actions (needle and thread, broom, spade, dealing playing cards, and unscrewing the lid of a jar). For primary actions, there were similar numbers of right and left writers using the 'other' hand. For non-primary actions more right-handers used the left hand than for primary actions but more left-handers did not use the right hand. That is, different frequencies of response to primary versus non-primary actions were found for right-handers but not for left-handers. The pattern of findings was repeated for a corresponding analysis of left-handed throwing x AHPQ actions. The findings have implications for the classification of hand preferences and for analyses of the nature of hand skill.