Effects of computer familiarity and computer type on the performance of Korean computerized neurobehavioral test.
BACKGROUND
It is thought that computer familiarity has increased significantly since 2004 as well as the use of computers. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of computer familiarity and types of keyboard and computer on the performance of the Korean computerized neurobehavioral test (KCNT), and to identify which parameters of KCNT were affected by aforementioned factors.


METHODS
A total of 85 subjects were classified into three groups of computer familiarity by Korean typing speed. Their age, gender and the level of education were also collected. The parameters of KCNT included simple reaction time, choice reaction time, addition, symbol digit, and finger tapping speed. The test was conducted using three types of computers: a laptop computer, a laptop computer with a simplified keyboard, and a desktop computer with a simplified keyboard.


RESULTS
Parameters including the simple reaction time, choice reaction time, addition, and symbol digit, and the finger tapping speed of non-dominant hand showed no significant differences in the results among the three groups by computer familiarity after age and educational years were controlled as covariates. The mean reaction time of the simple reaction time and the choice reaction time with a simplified keyboard was significantly shorter compared to that with a typical keyboard. With regard to type of computer, the mean reaction time of the simple reaction time and the choice reaction time was significantly reduced when performed with the desktop computer with a simplified keyboard.


CONCLUSIONS
Unlike previous study results, the choice reaction time, the addition, and the finger tapping speed of dominant hand were the only parameters affected by the computer familiarity. Both the type of keyboard and the type of computer significantly influenced the simple reaction time and the choice reaction time. Therefore, it is recommended to use a desktop computer with a simplified keyboard for such parameters.
Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Yeungnam University Hospital, 170 Hyeonchung-ro, Nam-gu, Daegu, 42415 Republic of Korea.
Nak Joon
NJ
Baek
Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Yeungnam University Hospital, 170 Hyeonchung-ro, Nam-gu, Daegu, 42415 Republic of Korea.
Gun Il
GI
Park
Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Yeungnam University Hospital, 170 Hyeonchung-ro, Nam-gu, Daegu, 42415 Republic of Korea.
Young Seok
YS
Byun
Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Yeungnam University Hospital, 170 Hyeonchung-ro, Nam-gu, Daegu, 42415 Republic of Korea ; Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, College of Medicine, Yeungnam University, 170 Hyeonchung-ro, Nam-gu, Daegu, 42415 Republic of Korea.
Man Joong
MJ
Jeon
Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Yeungnam University Hospital, 170 Hyeonchung-ro, Nam-gu, Daegu, 42415 Republic of Korea ; Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, College of Medicine, Yeungnam University, 170 Hyeonchung-ro, Nam-gu, Daegu, 42415 Republic of Korea.
Joon
J
Sakong
Familiarity; Neurobehavioral; Type of computer; Type of keyboard