Biomechanical Stresses in Computer-Aided Design and in Data Entry

Abstract

A study of the risk factors of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) of the upper limbs was carried out on 2 populations, 1 performing a computer-aided design (CAD) task and the other performing a data entry task. A questionnaire on MSD complaints and working life was completed by a sample of each population. Biomechanical measurements of the forces, the angles, and the repetitiveness of movements of the upper limbs were carried out on some operators in each sample. It emerged that complaints of the upper limbs seem to be linked to the use of input devices. The grip forces exerted when using the keyboard and mouse were higher in CAD than in data entry.VDU work MSD biomechanical stresses INTRODUCTIONPostural problems caused by working with computer display screens have been highlighted in numerous epidemiological surveys (Punnett & Bergqvist, 1997). The parts of the body concerned are primarily the neck, the shoulders, the lower back, and increasingly the upper limbs. Among these operators, the occurrence of upper-limb musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) has been increasing rapidly since the end of the 1980s, particularly in the USA. It more than doubled each year in this country from 1988 to 1992 and continuedCorrespondence and requests for offprints should be sent to François Cail, Institut National de Recherche et de Sécurité, Avenue de Bourgogne, B.P. 27, F-54501 Vandoeuvre Cedex, France. E-mail: <cail@inrs.fr>.( %#+. #0& / #26'.

A randomised controlled trial evaluating an alternative mouse and forearm support on upper body discomfort and musculoskeletal disorders among engineers

“…The risk of upper extremity disorders, such as carpal tunnel syndrome, may be greater with mouse use than keyboard use 8. Cail et al demonstrated higher finger force exertion in computer-aided design activities in comparison to data entry tasks 16. Therefore, the management of musculoskeletal disorders among engineers may require more attention to the mouse design, mouse use patterns, and arm support during mouse use.…”

Incidence of Stress and Psychosocial Factors on Musculoskeletal Disorders in CAD and Data Entry

“…In addition, for all these scores, the standard deviations remain high, which translates the considerable inter-individual differences. This observation should be related to that concerning the forces exerted and the angles of the joints during these same two tasks [15]. Concerning task complexity, the data entry task is judged as being just as complex as the CAD task, indicating that the operators position themselves in relation to their level of training, which is lower in data entry than in CAD.…”

“…Along with a work-station dimension study, an employee activity analysis was conducted by means of work situation observations and interviews with the employees and their managers [15].…”

Lines, triangles, and nets: A framework for designing input technologies and interaction techniques for computer-aided design

“…From the late 1990s to early 2000s, a collection of studies has shown the relation between musculoskeletal symptoms and biomechanical stresses with the mouse-operating hand and long hours of work with the mouse use among CAD operators. [7][8][9][10][11] CAD tasks and occupations were also found to involve more mouse clicks than the administrative tasks and operations. 12 The studied effects of heavy mouse use in CAD occupations coupled with the nature of CAD tasks demanding more clicks have provided reasoning for researching alternative input systems.…”