Effect of four computer keyboards in computer users with upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders

✍ Scribed by Pat Tittiranonda; David Rempel; Thomas Armstrong; Stephen Burastero

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 1999
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 313 KB
• Volume: 35
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0271-3586
• DOI: 10.1002/(sici)1097-0274(199906)35:6<647::aid-ajim12>3.0.co;2-5

✦ Synopsis

Eighty computer users with musculoskeletal disorders participated in a 6-month, randomized, placebo-controlled trial evaluating the effects of four computer keyboards on clinical findings, pain severity, functional hand status, and comfort. The alternative geometry keyboards tested were: the Apple Adjustable Keyboard [kb1], Comfort Keyboard System [kb2], Microsoft Natural Keyboard [kb3], and placebo. Compared to placebo, kb3 and to a lesser extent kb1 groups demonstrated an improving trend in pain severity and hand function following 6 months of keyboard use. However, there was no corresponding consistent improvement in clinical findings in the alternative geometry keyboard groups compared to the placebo group. Overall, there was a significant correlation between improvement of pain severity and greater satisfaction with the keyboards. These results provide evidence that keyboard users may experience a reduction in hand pain after several months of use of some alternative geometry keyboards.