THE EFFECT OF UPPER EXTREMITY TRAUMA ON HANDEDNESS

The effect of severe trauma on handedness was studied through patient responses from 146 questionnaires that were correlated with individual chart review Subjects were asked to designate their band use preferen ce, before and after injury, when performing 16 activities The inciden ce of change in band use was determined within four diagnostic types a nd five designated anatomical levels of injury. Results indicated a si gnificant difference in the way subjects in different diagnostic types and anatomical levels of injury performed Simple, short activities th at did not require sustained fine motor coordination were reported as being performed more easily with a different band after injury than co mplex, continuous activities that required sustained fine motor coordi nation. Significant differences in job duties and place of employment were found for the anatomical level of an injury but not for diagnosti c type. Findings suggest that the diagnostic type, the anatomical leve l of an injury, and the complexity of a task should be considered befo re changes in band use are recommended