Wrist Postures While Typing on a Standard and Split Keyboard

Honan, M. S.; Serina, Elaine; Tal, R; Rempel, David

doi:10.1177/154193129503900515

Cited by 31 publications

(31 citation statements)

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“…The marker placement was modified from that used by Zecevic et al (2000). Other studies have used electrogoniometers placed across the wrist to measure wrist posture during typing (Honan et al, 1995;Marklin et al, 1999;Simoneau et al, 2003;McLoone et al, 2005).…”

Section: Article In Pressmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The evidence linking awkward wrist and forearm postures during keyboard use to elevated risk for arm disorders is mixed (Gerr et al, 2004). However, during the past 50 years, a number of alternative geometry keyboard designs have been proposed to reduce awkward wrist and forearm postures during typing (Kroemer, 1972;Zipp et al, 1983;Nakaseko et al, 1985;Honan et al, 1995). Only recently has there been evidence, from prospective intervention trials, that alternative geometry keyboard designs may reduce or prevent hand and arm pain and disorders (Tittiranonda et al, 1999;Moore and Swanson, 2003).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The effects of alternative keyboard designs on these postures have been investigated in a number of laboratory studies. The earliest studies measured wrist postures using manual goniometers (Nakaseko et al, 1985), while recent studies use motion analysis systems or electronic goniometers to measure wrist and forearm postures (Honan et al, 1995;Zecevic et al, 2000).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The effect of six keyboard designs on wrist and forearm postures

et al. 2007

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Section: Article In Pressmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The effect of six keyboard designs on wrist and forearm postures

et al. 2007

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“…5,10,11,19,27 If a split keyboard has a slant angle of approximately 12.5°(25°opening angle), then wrist ulnar deviation is reduced to almost a neutral position (0°) in the radial/ulnar plane. 5,10,11,19,27 In general, it appears that ulnar deviation at the wrist is reduced by nearly 1°for each degree of slant angle incorporated in the keyboard. These findings provide some justification to the use of a fixed 12.5°slant angle, given that the left and right wrists are in 15°a nd 10°of ulnar deviation, respectively, when typing on a conventional keyboard.…”

Section: Keyboards With a Slant Anglementioning

confidence: 99%

“…5,10,11,18,19,27 The reduction of ulnar deviation to almost a neutral position is beneficial biomechanically because, as the wrist angle approaches neutral, biomechanical modeling indicates that the net reaction forces from the carpal bones and carpal ligament on the tendons and their sheaths decrease. 2,23 Less net reaction force pressing against the sides of the tendons and their sheaths would theoretically decrease the incidence of tenosynovitis of the wrist and finger flexor/extensor tendons.…”

Section: Keyboards With a Slant Anglementioning

confidence: 99%

Design Features of Alternative Computer Keyboards: A Review of Experimental Data

Marklin

Simoneau²

2004

J Orthop Sports Phys Ther

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Design of computer keyboards no longer is limited to the flat keyboards that are typically shipped with personal computers. Keyboards now exist that are split into halves and these halves can be slanted away from each other (creating a triangle between the halves), sloped downward toward the visual display terminal, tilted upward like a tent, or simply separated. These design features are intended to alleviate discomfort and possible musculoskeletal disorders that have been suggested to be associated with the extensive use of conventional computer keyboards. The geometry of conventional keyboards requires the wrists to be in 10°to 15°of ulnar deviation and 20°of extension and the forearms to be nearly fully pronated while typing. A review of the available experimental data collected on 10-digit touch typists indicates that (1) keyboards with a slant angle (half of the opening angle) of 10°to 12.5°or keyboards with halves separated to approximately shoulder width are both effective in placing the wrist in near neutral (0°) ulnar/radial deviation when typing, (2) wrist extension can be reduced to near neutral (0°) when a keyboard with a negative slope of 7.5°is used, contingent on the wrist rest also sloping with the keyboard, and (3) tilting the keyboard halves 20°to 30°is effective in reducing forearm pronation to approximately 45°. These studies also indicate that experienced 10-digit touch typists readily adapt (within 10 minutes) to these individual alternative keyboard features, and can type with approximately the same speed and accuracy as with the conventional keyboard. While placing the wrist and forearm in a more neutral position could, in theory, reduce the incidence of musculoskeletal disorders, randomized controlled trials are necessary before strong recommendations can be made on the effectiveness of alternative keyboards for the prevention and/or treatment of musculoskeletal disorders. In the absence of these randomized controlled trials, the information in this article provides preliminary guidance to clinicians in their evaluation of computer keyboards and workstations and their recommendations to patients.

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Safety and Health Effects of Video Display Terminals

Dainoff¹

2001

Patty's Industrial Hygiene

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The prime focus of concern has been on work with visual display terminals (VDTs) as they tend to be referred to in the United States, or visual display units (VDUs) as they tend to be referred to abroad. The major sources of collected information on this topic had been an international conference entitled Work with Display Units (WWDU), and a study panel on visual problems of VDTs organized by the National Academy of Science. In addition, the Human Factors Society (now the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society) had just issued the first ergonomic standard on VDT workplaces. The primary concerns associated with VDT work were associated with the visual problems, levels of radiation, and concerns about pregnancy problems among female VDT operators. (The latter was presumably related to radiation issues.) The WWDU conferences now have become regular biannual events, along with a second series of conferences on human‐computer interaction (HCI International). VDT‐related research has comprised significant fractions of the regular scientific meetings of associated professional organizations such as the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society and the International Ergonomics Society. In addition, there have been numerous special purpose conferences devoted to VDT issues at both national and international levels. Concerns regarding radiation and pregnancy issues seem to have faded. At the WWDU 94 conference. Visual concerns, while still present, appear to have receded somewhat. Presumably this can be related to the significant increases in display quality of VDTs since 1989. However, these concerns have been replaced by the issues of work‐related musculoskeletal disorders. Work‐related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) are the source of a great deal of attention and political controversy. Part of the controversy is related to labels, which have diagnostic and insurance implications: these disorders have also been referred to as Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSIs), Repetitive Motion Injuries (RMIs), and, more recently, Cumulative Trauma Disorders (CTDs). Although these disorders obviously encompass work environments other than offices, the number of office workers complaining of such disorders is large, and the potential risk factors associated with such disorders in office environments form a major portion of this chapter. In making this statement, however, it is important to also emphasize that WMSDs cannot be considered in isolation without also considering associated organizational, psychosocial, and visual factors. Hence, an integrated systems approach is essential. Issues of work‐related musculoskeletal disorders are central to the subject matter of this chapter. Accordingly, WMSDs in general focuses on the specific case of WMSDs in the office are discussed.

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Wrist Postures While Typing on a Standard and Split Keyboard

Cited by 31 publications

References 3 publications

The effect of six keyboard designs on wrist and forearm postures

The effect of six keyboard designs on wrist and forearm postures

Design Features of Alternative Computer Keyboards: A Review of Experimental Data

Safety and Health Effects of Video Display Terminals

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