PROBLEM
The psychological evaluation of the handicapped patient sometimes requires the substitution of the non-dominant hand to replace a nonfunctioning dominant hand. Test results obtained under this condition are subject to some question when peripheral motor speed or accuracy are not relevant to the trait measured. Such is the case in intellectual evaluation.
There is considerable evidence of the slower or less coordinated capacities of the left (non-dominant,) hand. One need only look a t the norms for the Purdue Pegboard (Examiner Manual for the Purdue Pegboard( 4)). In an earlier paper, the author'') reported that limitation to the non-dominant hand was sufficient to invalidate the digit symbol subtest of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale.
The Porteus Maze Test has a reputation for sensitivity t o organic changes in the brain which makes it an important instrument in evaluation of many handicapped individuals. The test yields two scores, a Test Quotient (TQ) which is a mental age derivative and a Qualitative Score (&-Score). This latter score is a measure of the minor errors committed in execution of all the mazes. There are two forms of the Maze test. They are the Vineland Revision (VR) and the Extension Series (ES). This study tests the effect of limitation to the non-dominant hand upon the two scores for the two forms of the test.