Effect of setup configurations of split computer keyboards on wrist angle.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Alternative computer keyboards whose halves can be slanted toward each other can reduce a risk factor (ulnar deviation) for work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) affecting the upper limbs. Two questions that computer keyboard operators face when using keyboards that...

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Publicado en:Physical Therapy Vol. 81; no. 4; pp. 1038 - 1049
Autores principales: Marklin RW, Simoneau GG
Formato: research tables/charts Journal Article
Publicado: Oxford University Press / USA Apr2001
Acceso en línea:Ver este registro en EBSCOhost
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      pub: Oxford University Press / USA
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        atl: Effect of setup configurations of split computer keyboards on wrist angle.
      aug:
        au:
          Marklin RW
          Simoneau GG
        affil: Associate Professor, Dept of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Marquette University, PO Box 1881, Milwaukee, WI 53201-1881; richard.marklin@marquette.edu
      sug:
        subj:
          Keyboards
          Occupational Diseases Prevention and Control
          Musculoskeletal Diseases Prevention and Control
          Wrist Joint Physiology
          Equipment Design
          Occupational Health
          Research Instruments
          Ergonomics
          Pronation
          Goniometry
          Repeated Measures
          Analysis of Variance
          Kruskal-Wallis Test
          Human
      ab: BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Alternative computer keyboards whose halves can be slanted toward each other can reduce a risk factor (ulnar deviation) for work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) affecting the upper limbs. Two questions that computer keyboard operators face when using keyboards that can be separated into halves (split keyboards) are: (1) At what angle should the keyboard halves be opened? and (2) At what distance apart should the keyboard halves be placed? The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of the opening angle and separation distance between halves of a split keyboard on wrist ulnar deviation and typing efficiency. METHODS: Eleven experienced computer keyboard operators participated in this study and used a split keyboard that was set up in a conventional (nonsplit) format and also in 3 alternative configurations: (1) centers of keyboard halves were separated at 20-cm distance, (2) keyboard halves were separated half of the distance of shoulder width, and (3) keyboard halves were separated at shoulder width distance. RESULTS: The 3 alternative configurations resulted in ulnar deviation of both wrists that were less than ulnar deviation from typing on a conventional setup. There were no differences in ulnar deviations among the 3 alternative configurations. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The results of this research provide physical therapists and ergonomists with a set of configurations of a split keyboard that they can recommend to their patients or clients. All of the alternative configurations of the split keyboard are beneficial in promoting a neutral wrist position, which theoretically would decrease exposure to WMSDs such as tenosynovitis in the wrist and carpal tunnel syndrome.
      pubtype: Academic Journal
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    language: English
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