Faculty Collaboration Database

Wrist and forearm posture from typing on split and vertically inclined computer keyboards. Hum Factors 1999 Dec;41(4):559-69

Date

04/25/2000

Pubmed ID

10774127

DOI

10.1518/001872099779656770

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-0033511490 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   49 Citations

Abstract

A study was conducted on 90 experienced office workers to determine how commercially available alternative computer keyboards affected wrist and forearm posture. The alternative keyboards tested had the QWERTY layout of keys and were of three designs: split fixed angle, split adjustable angle, and vertically inclined (tilted or tented). When set up correctly, commercially available split keyboards reduced mean ulnar deviation of the right and left wrists from 12 degrees to within 5 degrees of a neutral position compared with a conventional keyboard. The finding that split keyboards place the wrist closer to a neutral posture in the radial/ulnar plane substantially reduces one occupational risk factor of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs): ulnar deviation of the wrist. Applications of this research include commercially available computer keyboard designs that typists can use and ergonomists can recommend to their clients in order to minimize wrist ulnar deviation from typing.

Author List

Marklin RW, Simoneau GG, Monroe JF

Author

Guy Simoneau PhD Professor in the Physical Therapy department at Marquette University

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Adult
Computer Peripherals
Equipment Design
Forearm
Humans
Middle Aged
Movement
Posture
Range of Motion, Articular
Statistical Distributions
Word Processing
Wrist