Handedness and health: an examination of the association between different handedness classifications and health disorders.

The current study investigated the incidence of various health disorders in a sample population of undergraduate students, using a 25-item hand preference questionnaire. Analysis revealed significant differences existed in the incidence of several health disorders as a function of handedness: however, these differences depended on how hand preference was defined. Overall, the results showed that non-right-handed participants (i.e., those individuals with left-handed, ambidextrous, or inconsistent hand preferences) were significantly more likely to report specific health disorders (such as high blood pressure and epilepsy) than right-handed participants. The findings provide support for the argument that left-handedness, or non-right-handedness, is associated with various health disorders. The results are discussed in light of the Geschwind-Behan-Galaburda model of cerebral lateralisation.