Year: 2026 | Month: April-June | Volume: 11 | Issue: 2 | Pages: 87-94
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijshr.20260211
Difference in Visual Reaction Time between Dominant and Non-Dominant Hands Among Undergraduate Students
Monika Nachane1, Minal Kusalkar2, Takhellambam Surbala3, Sangeeta Gawali4, Yogesh Gavali5
1Associate Professor, Department of Physiology, BJ Govt Medical College, Pune, Maharashtra, India,
2Assistant Professor, Department of Physiology, BJ Govt Medical College, Pune, Maharashtra, India
3Senior Resident, Department of Physiology, BJ Govt Medical College, Pune, Maharashtra, India.
4Professor & Head, Department of Physiology, BJ Govt Medical College, Pune, Maharashtra, India
5Professor, Department of Anaesthesia, BJ Govt Medical College, Pune, Maharashtra, India
Corresponding Author: Dr. Monika Nachane
ABSTRACT
Background: Reaction time (RT) is the time taken by an individual to response to a stimulus. It is a fundamental indicator of sensory–motor integration and central nervous system efficiency. Hand dominance is associated with cerebral lateralization and may influence motor performance. However, existing literature shows variability in dominance-related reaction time differences.
Aim: To compare visual reaction time (VRT) between dominant and non-dominant hands among undergraduate students and to analyze gender-based differences.
Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted over a period of 6 months among 210 undergraduate students aged 18–25 years. Hand dominance was identified through self-report. Visual reaction time (VRT) was assessed using a standard reaction time instrument. Mean reaction times were compared using paired t-test, and gender-based comparisons were analyzed using independent t-test.
Results: The dominant hand demonstrated significantly faster VRT than the non-dominant hand (238.6 ± 24.1 ms vs 262.4 ± 27.9 ms; p < 0.001). The mean difference was 23.8 ms (95% CI: 20.1–27.5 ms) with a large effect size (Cohen’s d = 0.92). Both male and female participants showed similar dominance-related trends, with males exhibiting marginally faster reaction times overall of 232.1 ms, compared to 244.8 ms in females.
Conclusion: Dominant hand VRT was significantly faster, reflecting superior sensory–motor coordination and neural efficiency. Reaction time measurement can be used as a simple clinical tool to assess neuromuscular coordination and psychomotor performance.
Keywords: Reaction time, handedness, lateralization, university students, motor performance write relevant keywords