The Link Between Cerebellar Dominance and Skilled Hand Performance in 8–10-Year-Old Right-Handed Children

ABSTRACT

Although literature surrounding handedness and cerebellar asymmetry is limited, many researchers have suggested that a relationship exists (e.g., A. A. Beaton, 2003; L. Jäncke, K. Specht, S. Mirzazade, & M. Peters, 1999; I. C. McManus & K. M. Cornish, 1997; M. Peters, 1995; P. J. Snyder, R. M. Bilder, H. Wu, B. Bogerts, & J. A. Lieberman, 1995). For example, J. Tichy and J. Belacek (2008, 2009) identified a link between cerebellar dominance and hand preference. The authors aimed to assess the relationship between cerebellar dominance and handedness, in 8–10-year-olds (N = 157 right-handers) as assessed with hand performance tests. Articular joint passivity in the wrist and performance differences between the hands were used as a means of assessing cerebellar dominance, where a link to skilled hand performance tests was revealed. Specifically, significant correlations between articular joint passivity and all measurements of handedness (p < .001) were observed. Greater hypotonia was seen in the left wrist of 95% of right-handers. This result supports the assumption that the preferred and nonpreferred hand could be controlled by the cerebellum in a different ways.

Keywords:

• handedness
• cerebellar dominance
• performance tests
• muscle tension

FUNDING

This research was supported by the scientific branch development program PRVOUK P39 Social-Sciences Aspects of Human Movement Studies.