Effects of a Split Keyboard Design and Wrist Rest on Performance, Posture, and Comfort

• Published in: Human factors Vol. 40; no. 2; pp. 324 - 336
• Main Authors: Smith, Michael J., Karsh, Ben-Tzion, Conway, Frank T., Cohen, William J., James, Craig A., Morgan, Jay J., Sanders, Katherine, Zehel, David J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Los Angeles, CA SAGE Publications 01.06.1998; Human Factors and Ergonomics Society; Sage Publications, Inc
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Applied physiology; Biological and medical sciences; Biomechanics; Computer keyboards; Computer operators; Computer Peripherals; Computer terminals; Design and construction; Equipment Design; Ergonomics; Ergonomics. Work place. Occupational physiology; Female; Human physiology applied to population studies and life conditions. Human ecophysiology; Humans; Keyboards (Electronics); Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Musculoskeletal Diseases - prevention & control; Musculoskeletal system; Occupational Diseases - prevention & control; Pain - prevention & control; Personnel; Physiological aspects; Posture; Task Performance and Analysis; Wrist - physiology; Applied ergonomics; Human; Operator; Workplace layout; Data acquisition; Diseases of the osteoarticular system; Keyboard; Workload; Posture; Wrist; Rest; Mechanical stress; Comfort; Rachialgia; Performance
• ISSN: 0018-7208; 1547-8181
• DOI: 10.1518/001872098779480451

The purpose of this study was to examine differences in experienced typists′ performance, posture, and musculoskeletal pain when using a split, adjustable (SA) computer keyboard and when using a standard flat keyboard. In addition, the use of a wrist rest was examined for performance, posture, and musculoskeletal pain effects. Eighteen participants were exposed to the SA keyboard and a flat keyboard in a laboratory study of text typing for four consecutive hours on five days. The results indicated that after just 2 h of orientation and practice, the participants could perform as well on the SA keyboard as on the flat keyboard. The SA keyboard provided advantages for reduced wrist/hand pronation. There was no difference between the keyboards in the level of musculoskeletal pain reported by participants after typing. However, they reported increased pain in the back, neck, shoulders, and wrists from the beginning to the end of each of the experimental periods for both keyboards