Hand clasping

When clasping the hands, a person tends to interlace the fingers in one of two ways. People who hold the fingers of the right hand above the left fingers are classified as phenotype R (right), while those who hold the fingers of the left hand above those of the right are phenotype L (left).

Although some people do not prefer one type of hand clasping, most do. Once adopted, hand clasping tends to be consistent throughout life. When an individual attempts to clasp the hands in the opposite configuration from the usual one, that person may feel a sense that something is out of the ordinary.

Lai and Walsh (1965) suspect that genetic factors are important in determining these characteristics. They looked at a sample of 18 families.{{cite journal | pmid = 5836191 | volume=37 | title=The patterns of hand clasping in different ethnic groups | year=1965 | journal=Hum Biol | pages=312–9 | last1 = Lai | first1 = LY | last2 = Walsh | first2 = RJ| issue=3 }}

Based on the comparison of a series of monozygotic and dizygotic twins, Freire-Maia (1961) concluded that the preference in the type of hand clasping was affected by certain genetic factors, and (perhaps) to a significant extent.Freire-Maia A. (1961): Twin data on hand clasping: a reanalysis. Acta Genet. Statist. Med. 10: 207-211.

Falk and Ayala (1971) found a significant correlation between parent-offspring and for this feature suggested model polygenic inheritance.{{cite journal | last1 = Falk | first1 = C. T. | last2 = Ayala | first2 = F. J. | year = 1971 | title = Genetic aspects of arm folding and hand clasping. | journal = Jpn. J. Hum. Genet. | volume = 15 | issue = 4 | pages = 241–247 | pmid = 5105531 }}

Martin (1975) presented the results of studies of twins and found that genetic factors are still determining the phenotypic expression of this trait.{{cite journal | last1 = Martin | first1 = N. G | year = 1975 | title = No evidence for a genetic basis of tongue rolling or hand clasping | journal = J. Hered. | volume = 66 | issue = 3 | pages = 179–180 | pmid = 1236879 | doi = 10.1093/oxfordjournals.jhered.a108608 }}

Reiss (1999) found that 55% of the population belongs to the phenotype L, and 44% have a "right type" clasping; the remaining 1% did not care.{{cite journal | last1 = Pons | first1 = J | year = 1961 | title = Hand clasping | journal = Annals of Human Genetics | volume = 25 | pages = 141–144 | pmid = 14487797 | doi = 10.1111/j.1469-1809.1961.tb01511.x | s2cid = 26161505 }}{{cite journal | last1 = Reiss | first1 = M | year = 1999 | title = The genetics of hand-clasping-a review and a familial study | journal = Ann. Hum. Biol. | volume = 26 | issue = 1 | pages = 39–48 | pmid = 9974082 | doi = 10.1080/030144699282967 }}

In support of the hypothesis about the significant influence of genetic factors on the phenotypic expression of the extreme dimorphism clearly demarcated by the data on a very wide range of variation in the frequency of phenotypes tested parts of the world's population.{{confusing-inline|date=July 2019}}

{{See also|Psychomotor agitation}}

Hand wringing is a gesture characterized by repeatedly rubbing or twisting one's hands together, often as a sign of distress or nervousness, while folding or clasping. Hand wringing has been studied in psychology to understand its underlying motivations and implications for mental well-being, of which include nonverbal communication and self-soothing behavior. It is often attributed to physical, cognitive, and mental conditions.

The act of hand wringing, along other motor actions, has been observed common in people with Rett syndrome, a genetic brain disorder, for decades.{{Cite journal |last=Philippart |first=Michel |date=1990 |title=The Rett syndrome in males |url=https://doi.org/10.1016/S0387-7604(12)80172-0 |journal=Brain and Development |volume=12 |issue=1 |pages=33–36 |doi=10.1016/s0387-7604(12)80172-0 |pmid=2344022 |issn=0387-7604}}{{Cite journal |last1=Brunetti |first1=Sara |last2=Lumsden |first2=Daniel E. |date=2020-07-27 |title=Rett Syndrome as a movement and motor disorder – A narrative review |url=https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejpn.2020.06.020 |journal=European Journal of Paediatric Neurology |volume=28 |pages=29–37 |doi=10.1016/j.ejpn.2020.06.020 |pmid=32807681 |issn=1090-3798}}{{Cite journal |last1=Stallworth |first1=Jennifer L. |last2=Dy |first2=Marisela E. |last3=Buchanan |first3=Caroline B. |last4=Chen |first4=Chin-Fu |last5=Scott |first5=Alexandra E. |last6=Glaze |first6=Daniel G. |last7=Lane |first7=Jane B. |last8=Lieberman |first8=David N. |last9=Oberman |first9=Lindsay M. |last10=Skinner |first10=Steven A. |last11=Tierney |first11=Aubin E. |last12=Cutter |first12=Gary R. |last13=Percy |first13=Alan K. |last14=Neul |first14=Jeffrey L. |last15=Kaufmann |first15=Walter E. |date=2019-05-28 |title=Hand stereotypies: Lessons from the Rett Syndrome Natural History Study |journal=Neurology |language=en |volume=92 |issue=22 |pages=e2594–e2603 |doi=10.1212/WNL.0000000000007560 |issn=0028-3878 |pmc=6556084 |pmid=31053667}} In a study investigating stereotypical hand movements in individuals with the syndrome, hand wringing was identified as one of the most prevalent stereotypies, observed in approximately 60% of subjects.{{Cite journal |last1=Carter |first1=Philippa |last2=Downs |first2=Jenny |last3=Bebbington |first3=Ami |last4=Williams |first4=Simon |last5=Jacoby |first5=Peter |last6=Kaufmann |first6=Walter E. |last7=Leonard |first7=Helen |date=2010-02-15 |title=Stereotypical hand movements in 144 subjects with Rett syndrome from the population-based Australian database |url=https://movementdisorders.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/mds.22851 |journal=Movement Disorders |language=en |volume=25 |issue=3 |pages=282–288 |doi=10.1002/mds.22851 |pmid=19908321 |issn=0885-3185}} It found that hand wringing tended to be more prevalent in women aged 19 years or older. Additionally, associations were noted between specific mutations and hand-wringing behavior, with certain mutations being more commonly associated with this stereotypical movement. However, there were no clear relationships between hand-wringing and the severity of mutations.

Hand wringing is also common in people with autism{{Citation |last=Johnson |first=Chris Plauché |title=Early Clinical Characteristics of Children with Autism |date=2004 |work=Autistic Spectrum Disorders in Children |pages=86–121 |url=https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.1201/9780203026229-11/early-clinical-characteristics-children-autism-chris-plauch%C3%A9-johnson |access-date=2024-03-23 |publisher=CRC Press |doi=10.1201/9780203026229-11 |isbn=978-0-429-22863-6}}{{Cite book |last1=Fernández-Alvarez |first1=Emilio |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VRBOeASiB8gC&dq=hand+wringing+autism&pg=PA247 |title=Paediatric Movement Disorders: Progress in Understanding |last2=Arzimanoglou |first2=Alexis |last3=Tolosa |first3=Eduardo |date=2005 |publisher=John Libbey Eurotext |isbn=978-2-7420-0542-0 |language=en}} and obsessive-compulsive disorder.{{Cite book |last1=Kurlan |first1=Roger M. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rsr9CAAAQBAJ&dq=hand+wringing+in+OCD&pg=PA99 |title=Hyperkinetic Movement Disorders |last2=Kurlan |first2=Roger |last3=Greene |first3=Paul E. |last4=Biglan |first4=Kevin M. |date=2015 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19-992564-3 |language=en}}{{Cite journal |last1=Hornsveld |first1=Ruud H.J. |last2=Kraaimaat |first2=Floor W.K. |last3=Van Dam-Baggen |first3=Rien M.J. |date=1979 |title=Anxiety/discomfort and handwashing in obsessive-compulsive and psychiatric control patients |url=https://doi.org/10.1016/0005-7967(79)90037-8 |journal=Behaviour Research and Therapy |volume=17 |issue=3 |pages=223–228 |doi=10.1016/0005-7967(79)90037-8 |pmid=526239 |issn=0005-7967}}

Some studies suggest that when attempting to mitigate certain behaviors through interventions like response blocking, unintended consequences may arise.{{Cite journal |last1=Lerman |first1=Dorothea C. |last2=Kelley |first2=Michael E. |last3=Vorndran |first3=Christina M. |last4=Camp |first4=Carole M. Van |date=2003-02-27 |title=Collateral Effects of Response Blocking During the Treatment of Stereotypic Behavior |journal=Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis |language=en |volume=36 |issue=1 |pages=119–123 |doi=10.1901/jaba.2003.36-119 |issn=0021-8855 |pmc=1284425 |pmid=12723875}} For instance, in the treatment of stereotypic behavior such as head and tooth tapping, blocking these behaviors may inadvertently lead to an increase in other stereotypic responses, such as hand wringing. This collateral effect, observed in individuals diagnosed with autism, indicates that the reduction in the targeted behavior may result in the emergence or exacerbation of alternative behaviors.

Hand clasping holds significance in several religious and spiritual practices around the world, often symbolizing different aspects of faith. While not explicitly addressed in religious texts or practices, individuals may engage in the behavior during moments of spiritual reflection such as prayer or meditation.

{{Main|Christian prayer}}

In Christianity, hand clasping can be seen during prayer or as a gesture of fellowship and unity among believers. It often symbolizes solidarity in faith and mutual support within the community. In some Christian ceremonies, such as weddings or baptisms, hand clasping may signify the joining of two individuals or families in a sacred bond.

{{Main|Mudra}}

Buddhism employs hand gestures, or mudras, as part of spiritual practice. Some of which include clasped hands, such as ushas mudra, symbolizing reverence, gratitude, and mindfulness. Hand clasping may also be used in meditation as a means of focusing on one's intention and connecting with inner peace.

{{Main|Kushta}}

In Mandaeism, the Mandaic term kushta (which also means 'truth') refers to a sacred handclasp that is used during Mandaean rituals such as the masbuta, masiqta, and priestly initiation ceremonies.{{cite book|last=Buckley|first=Jorunn Jacobsen|title=The Mandaeans: ancient texts and modern people|publisher=Oxford University Press|publication-place=New York|year=2002|isbn=0-19-515385-5|oclc=65198443}}Drower, Ethel Stefana (1937). The Mandaeans of Iraq and Iran. Oxford at the Clarendon Press.

• Arm folding
• Hand

{{reflist}}

• http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/inheritance/observable/ {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20160913230033/http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/basics/observable/ |date=2016-09-13 }} (en)

Clasping

Category:Classical genetics

Category:Human population genetics