The effect of alternate style keyboards on severity of symptoms and functional status of individuals with work related upper extremity disorders.
There is evidence that performing job tasks involving repetition, vibration, sustained posture or forceful movement may contribute to symptoms of work related upper extremity disorders. Typing is one such activity; symptoms that develop as a result of this activity can affect performance of work, self-care and leisure occupations. Studies investigating the impact of ergonomic keyboards on symptom reduction are limited, and little research exists regarding the reduction of key activation force as an intervention.


METHODS
This randomized, prospective study used a sample of 68 symptomatic workers employed by a single company. One group received a commercially available ergonomic keyboard, a second group used a modified version of the same keyboard designed to reduce activation force, vibration and key travel. We measured symptoms and clinical signs, functional status, and device satisfaction in both groups over a six-month study period.


CONCLUSIONS
Between-groups analyses indicated that the groups performed similarly on the outcomes of interest. Repeated-measure analysis identified a reduction of symptoms, an improvement in functional status, preference for and increased satisfaction with the intervention keyboards, and maintenance of typing speed and accuracy for both groups.
Ripat
Jacquie
J
Department of Occupational Therapy, University of Manitoba, R131-771 McDermot Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, R3E 0T6. ripatj@cc.umanitoba.ca
Scatliff
Tom
T
Giesbrecht
Ed
E
Quanbury
Arthur
A
Friesen
Margaret
M
Kelso
Sarah
S
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D016287:Computer Peripherals; D003258:Consumer Behavior; D012090:Cumulative Trauma Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004867:Equipment Design; D006804:Ergonomics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008350:Manitoba; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D034941:Upper Extremity