title: Variation in upper limb posture and movement during word processing with and without mouse use.
abstract: Work postures and movements of the upper limb were analysed for 12 'mouse' operators and 12 'non-mouse' computer operators employed in word-processing work. Measurements were carried out during correction of a given text. 'Mouse' operators spent 64% of the working time with the operative wrist deviating more than 15 degrees towards the ulnar side, while 'non-mouse' operators spent 96% of the time with the corresponding wrist in neutral position towards radial deviation. The rotation in the shoulder was at all times in neutral position towards inward rotation for 'non-mouse' operators, while 'mouse' operators worked 81% of the time with the shoulder rotated outward more than 30 degrees. 'Mouse' operators corrected a longer text during the given time. Our observations showed long periods of strenuous working postures for 'mouse' operators compared to 'non-mouse' operators. We believe that further investigations need to be carried out on the effects of word-processing techniques and to develop ergonomic work station designs for the 'mouse' and other non-keyboard input devices.
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational Health, Karolinska Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Karlqvist
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hagberg
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Selin
mesh_terms: D001132:Arm / Q000502:physiology*; D006804:Ergonomics; D006801:Humans; D016272:Occupational Health; D011187:Posture; D015443:Word Processing