Meta-analysis of handedness and its distribution in populations of Ningxia and Gansu

马华 常禹灿 马秀慧 马占兵 霍正浩 党洁

doi:10.16098/j.issn.0529-1356.2026.02.013

PDF(1766 KB)

Acta Anatomica Sinica ›› 2026, Vol. 57 ›› Issue (2) : 254-261. DOI: 10.16098/j.issn.0529-1356.2026.02.013

Anthrology

Meta-analysis of handedness and its distribution in populations of Ningxia and Gansu

MA Hua^1,2, CHANG Yu-can^1,2, MA Xiu-hui^1,2, MA Zhan-bing^1,2, HUO Zheng-hao^1,2, DANG Jie^1,2*

Author information +

History +

Abstract

Objective To systematically compare the distribution characteristics of handedness in different populations worldwide through meta-analysis and Edinburgh Handedness Inventory (EHI) questionnaire, and to clarify the handedness distribution characteristics of northwestern Chinese populations (Ningxia and Gansu populations as samples) as well as their differences from other populations. Methods Literatures were retrieved and screened from CNKI and PubMed for meta-analysis. Taking Ningxia and Gansu populations as the research objects, EHI questionnaire was used to collect handedness data. EpiData double entry was applied for data management, and χ² test and multiple logistic regression were used to analyze the distribution characteristics and influencing factors. Results Meta-analyses had demonstrated that the prevalence of non-right-handedness was significantly lower in Asian populations compared to Western populations, and there were also significant geographical differences in handedness distribution. Univariate analyses of the Ningxia and Gansu cohorts revealed that the rate of left-handedness was significantly higher in males than in females, higher in individuals with middle school or vocational school education than in those with primary school or college education, and higher in individuals born in spring or summer (all P<0.05). Further multivariate logistic regression analysis had confirmed that being male and having middle school or vocational school education were independent risk factors for left-handedness. After pooling the present data,it was found that the overall rate of non-right-handedness in China was 8.8%, which was only higher than that in Japan and Sweden (P<0.001), but lower than that in 15 countries or regions such as Bulgaria (all P<0.05). The characteristics of handedness distribution in male and female groups were consistent with those of the general population. Conclusion Handedness distribution shows certain regional and gender differences.The Ningxia and Gansu cohorts in China exhibit a distinctive handedness distribution pattern, and the left-handedness ratio in males is higher than that in females

Key words

Ningxia region / Gansu region / Handedness / Edinburgh Handedness Inventory / Meta-analysis；Adult

Cite this article

EndNote

Ris (Procite)

Bibtex

Download Citations

MA Hua, CHANG Yu-can, MA Xiu-hui, MA Zhan-bing, HUO Zheng-hao, DANG Jie. Meta-analysis of handedness and its distribution in populations of Ningxia and Gansu[J]. Acta Anatomica Sinica. 2026, 57(2): 254-261 https://doi.org/10.16098/j.issn.0529-1356.2026.02.013

References

［1］ Papadatou-pastou M, Ntolka E, Schmitz J, et al. Human handedness: a meta-analysis ［J］. Psychol Bull, 2020, 146(6): 481-524.

［2］ Schmitz J, Lor S, Klose R,et al. The functional genetics of handedness and language lateralization: insights from gene ontology, pathway and disease association analyses［J］. Front Psychol, 2017, 8:1144.

［3］ Wiberg A, Ng M, Al Omran Y, et al. Handedness, language areas and neuropsychiatric diseases: insights from brain imaging and genetics ［J］. Brain, 2019, 142(10): 2938-2947.

［4］ Domellof E, Johansson AM, Ronnqvist L. Handedness in preterm born children: a systematic review and a meta-analysis ［J］. Neuropsychologia, 2011, 49(9): 2299-2310.

［5］ Tonetti L, Adan A, Caci H, et al. Season of birth and handedness in young adults ［J］. Laterality, 2012, 17(5): 597-601.

［6］ Loffing F. Left-handedness and time pressure in elite interactive ball games ［J］. Biol Lett, 2017, 13(11): 20170446.

［7］ Li XT. Distribution of left- and right-handedness among Chinese people ［J］. Acta Psychologica Sinica, 1983, 15(3): 268-276. (in Chinese)

李心天. 中国人的左右利手分布［J］.心理学报，1983,15（3）: 268-276.

［8］ Liu J, Liu W. Seven asymmetric behavioral characteristics of the Hui population in Cangzhou, Hebei ［J］. Chinese Journal of Anatomy, 2021, 44(3): 232-237. (in Chinese)

刘冀, 刘伟. 河北沧州回族七项不对称行为特征［J］. 解剖学杂志, 2021, 44(3): 232-237.

［9］ Wang PF, Cai HD. Genetic models of handedness and language lateralization ［J］. Advances in Psychological Science, 2011, 19(12): 1759-1768. (in Chinese)

鹏飞, 蔡厚德. 利手与语言功能偏侧化的遗传模型［J］. 心理科学进展, 2011, 19(12): 1759-1768.

［10］ Medland SE, Duffy DL, Wright MJ, et al. Handedness in twins: joint analysis of data from 35 samples ［J］. Twin Res Hum Genet, 2006, 9(1): 46-53.

［11］ Zheng M, Mcbride C, Ho CS, et al. Prevalence and heritability of handedness in a Hong Kong Chinese twin and singleton sample ［J］. BMC Psychol, 2020, 8(1): 37.

［12］ Papadatou-pastou M, Ntolka E, Schmitz J, et al. Human handedness: a meta-analysis ［J］. Psychol Bull, 2020, 146(6): 481-524.

［13］ Meng LF. The rate of handedness conversion and related factors in left-handed children ［J］. Laterality, 2007, 12(2): 131-138.

［14］ Jung HS. Hand dominance and hand use behaviour reported in a survey of 2437 Koreans ［J］. Ergo, 2009, 52(11): 1362-1371.

［15］ Vuoksimaa E, Koskenvuo M, Rose RJ, et al. Origins of handedness: a nationwide study of 30,161 adults ［J］. Neuropsychologia,2009,47(5):1294-1301.

［16］ Li XT, Li MG, Ge HK, et al. An Experimental study on left- and right-hand grasping in children aged six months to three years ［J］. Acta Psychologica Sinica, 1984, 16(2): 214-222. (in Chinese)

李心天,李鸣杲,葛慧坤,等. 六个月至三岁儿童用左右手抓物的实验研究［J］. 心理学报, 1984, 16(2): 214-222.

［17］ Gunturkun O, Strockens F, Ocklenburg S. Brain lateralization: a comparative perspective ［J］. Physiol Rev, 2020, 100(3): 1019-1063.

［18］ Korbmacher M, Van Der Meer D, Beck D, et al. Brain asymmetries from mid- to late life and hemispheric brain age ［J］. Nat Commun, 2024, 15(1): 956.

［19］ Sivagnanasunderam M, Gonzalez DA, Bryden PJ, et al. Handedness throughout the lifespan: cross-sectional view on sex differences as asymmetries change［J］. Front Psychol, 2015,5:1556.

［20］ Dellatolas G, Curt F, Lellouch J. Birth order and month of birth are not related with handedness in a sample of 9370 young men ［J］. Cortex, 1991, 27(1): 137-140.

［21］ Stoyanov Z, Nikolova P, Pashalieva I. Season of birth, Geschwind and Galaburda hypothesis, and handedness ［J］. Laterality, 2011, 16(5): 607-619.

［22］ Lamm O, Epstein R. Left-handedness and achievements in foreign language studies ［J］. Brain Lang, 1999, 70(3): 504-517.

［23］ Resch F, Haffner J, Parzer P, et al. Testing the hypothesis of the relationships between laterality and ability according to Annett’s right-shift theory: findings in an epidemiological sample of young adults ［J］. Br J Psychol, 1997, 88 ( Pt 4): 621-635.

［24］ Demura S, Tada N, Matsuzawa J, et al. The influence of gender, athletic events, and athletic experience on the subjective dominant hand and the determination of the dominant hand based on the laterality quotient (LQ) and the validity of the LQ ［J］. J Physiol Anthropol, 2006, 25(5): 321-329.

［25］ Richards G, Beking T, Kreukels BPC, et al. An examination of the influence of prenatal sex hormones on handedness: literature review and amniotic fluid data ［J］. Horm Behav, 2021, 129: 104929.

［26］ Mcmanus IC, Moore J, Freegard M, et al. Science in the Making: Right Hand, Left Hand. Ⅲ: estimating historical rates of left-handedness ［J］. Laterality, 2010, 15(1-2): 186-208.

［27］ Nguyen TV, Mccracken J, Ducharme S, et al. Testosterone-related cortical maturation across childhood and adolescence ［J］. Cereb Cortex, 2013, 23(6): 1424-1432.

［28］ Beking T, Geuzw RH, Van Faassen M, et al. Prenatal and pubertal testosterone affect brain lateralization ［J］. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 2018, 88: 78-91.

［29］ Shahini N, Salimi Z, Kiani D, et al. Relationship of serum estradiol and progesterone with symptoms and sex difference in schizophrenia: a cross-sectional study in Iran ［J］. Front Psychiatry, 2023, 14: 1075780.

［30］ Ardila A, Ardila O, Bryden MP, et al. Effects of cultural background and education on handedness ［J］. Neuropsychologia, 1989, 27(6): 893-897.

［31］ Nelson EL, Gonzalez SL, El-asmar JM, et al. The home handedness questionnaire: pilot data from preschoolers ［J］. Laterality, 2019, 24(4): 482-503.