Effects of Ergorest arm supports on muscle strain and wrist positions during the use of the mouse and keyboard in work with visual display units: a work site intervention.
The effects of Ergorest arm supports on wrist angles and musculoskeletal strain in the neck-shoulder-arm region and electrical activity in the shoulder and arm muscles were studied during typing or the use of the mouse in work with a visual display unit (VDU). Twenty-one women were randomized into 3 groups (1 arm support, 2 arm supports, and control). Measurements were carried out before and after the 6-week intervention. The wrist extension of the mouse hand, the muscle activity of the trapezius muscle, and the subjective discomfort ratings indicated that 2 arm supports were better than 1 in work with a mouse. The Ergorest arm support alleviates muscle and joint strain in VDU work when used for both arms.
Lintula
M
M
Kuopio Regional Institute of Occupational Health, Box 93, FIN-70701 Kuopio, Finland. maija.lintula@occuphealth.fi
Nevala-Puranen
N
N
Louhevaara
V
V
D000328:Adult; D001134:Arm Injuries / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016288:Computer Terminals; D004867:Equipment Design; D006804:Ergonomics / Q000295:instrumentation*; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland; D006801:Humans; D008838:Microcomputers; D008875:Middle Aged; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000502:physiology*; D014584:User-Computer Interface; D014954:Wrist Injuries / Q000517:prevention & control*