Records from 495 psychiatric patients from two neuropsychology laboratories indicated the Fingertip Number Writing test shows a significant and reliable left-hand advantage within and between laboratories. While the left-hand advantage may reflect a right-hemisphere superiority for tactile-spatial processing, it is not possible to distinguish between right hemispheric functional superiority and practice effects between hands because the standard fingertip writing task always starts with the right hand.
References
1.
BentonA. L.LevinH. S.VarneyN. R.Tactile perception of direction in normal subjects. Neurology, 1973, 23, 1248–1250.
Fromm-AuchD.YeudallL. T.Normative data for the Halstead-Reitan neuropsychological tests. Journal of Clinical Neuropsychology, 1983, 5, 221–238.
4.
HarleyJ. P.GrafmanJ.Fingertip number writing errors in hospitalized nonneurologic patients. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 1983, 56, 551–554.
5.
ReitanR. M.Manual for administration of neuropsychological test batteries for adults and children. Indianapolis: privately mimeographed, 1959.
6.
ReitanR. M.Psychological assessment of deficits associated with brain lesions in subjects with normal and subnormal intelligence. In KhannaJ. L. (Ed.), Brain damage and mental retardation: A psychological evaluation. Springfield, IL: Thomas, 1967. Pp. 23–37.
