Ergonomic Test of the Kinesis Keyboard

Smith, Wanda J.; Cronin, Daniel

doi:10.1177/154193129303700414

Cited by 14 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 6 publications

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“…Prior literature provides some information in that regard. The average position of the wrist in ulnar deviation during typing has been reported to be between 11°and 25° (Chen et al, 1994;Honan, Serina, Tal, & Rempel, 1995;Nakaseko, Grandjean, Hunting, & Gierer, 1985;Smith & Cronin, 1993;Sommerich & Marras, 1994;Sommerich, Marras, & Parnianpour, 1996); some authors have reported that the amount of ulnar deviation on the left wrist was a few degrees greater than on the right (Hedge & Powers, 1995;Honan, Jacobson, Tal, & Rempel, 1996). Similarly for wrist extension, the average position of the wrist has been reported as between 13°and 33° (Hedge & Powers, 1995;Honan et al, 1995;Honan et al, 1996;Sommerich & Marras, 1994).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 92%

Wrist and Forearm Postures of Users of Conventional Computer Keyboards

1999

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The aim of this study was to perform a comprehensive investigation to document wrist and forearm postures of users of conventional computer keyboards. We instrumented 90 healthy, experienced clerical workers with electromechanical goniometers to measure wrist and forearm position and range of motion for both upper extremities while typing. For an alphabetic typing task, the left wrist showed significantly greater (p < .01) mean ulnar deviation (15.0 degrees +/- 7.7 degrees) and extension (21.2 degrees +/- 8.8 degrees) than the right wrist (10.1 degrees +/- 7.2 degrees and 17.0 degrees +/- 7.4 degrees for ulnar deviation and extension, respectively). Conversely, the right forearm had greater mean pronation (65.6 degrees +/- 8.3 degrees) than the left forearm (62.2 degrees +/- 10.6 degrees). We noted minimal functional differences in the postures of the wrists and forearms between alphabetic and alphanumeric typing tasks. Ergonomists should consider the statistically significant and probable practical difference in wrist and forearm posture between the left and right hand in ergonomic interventions in the office and in the design of computer keyboards. Actual or potential applications of this research include guiding the design of new computer keyboards.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 92%

Wrist and Forearm Postures of Users of Conventional Computer Keyboards

1999

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“…(11,14,25) The current study is unique in that dynamic wrist joint postures were measured using an opto-electronic system (Qualisys). With this system, marker positions were transduced in three-dimensional space and dynamic wrist angular positions were calculated from these coordinates.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Workplace Use of an Adjustable Keyboard: Adjustment Preferences and Effect on Wrist Posture

Tittiranonda

Rempel

Armstrong

et al. 1999

American Industrial Hygiene Association Journal

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This study presents an evaluation of an adjustable keyboard based on subjective preference and wrist joint motion during typing. Thirty-five computer users used the adjustable split design keyboard for 7-14 days during their usual work and were instructed to adjust the keyboard to the opening angle they preferred. At the end of this period, three-dimensional motion analysis was performed to compare the distribution of wrist joint angles while subjects typed on a conventional keyboard and the adjustable keyboard adjusted to the subject's preferred angle. The mean preferred opening angle was 14 degrees +/- 10. The mean ulnar deviation of the subjects who selected the opening angles between 21 and 28 degrees (n = 12) decreased from 18 degrees +/- 5 on the flat to 14 degrees +/- 5 on the adjustable (p < 0.05), while those who selected 0 to 10 degrees (n = 6) and 11 to 20 degrees (n = 17) split angles showed no significant differences in ulnar deviation. Mean wrist extension on the adjustable keyboard was 17 degrees +/- 5 and was significantly less than the 24 degrees +/- 5 observed on the conventional keyboard and most likely due to the presence of palm support. On average, subjects reported that the adjustable keyboard was more comfortable (0.5 +/- 0.5) (worse = -1, same = 0, better, = 1) in comparison with the conventional keyboard.

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“…Comparatively high speed, quiet input with large DOF in natural postures are features of the system. EMG signals have been used in keyboard research (Smith and Cronin 1992;Martin et al 1996), although mainly as a rough, relative measurement of force exertion and fatigue.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

An EMG Keyboard for Forearm Amputees

Kato

Fabio

et al. 2003

Applied Bionics and Biomechanics

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A high-efficiency, easy-to-use input device is not only important for data entry but also for human-computer interaction. To date, there has been little research on input devices with many degrees of freedom (DOF) that can be used by the handicapped. This paper presents the development of an electromyography (EMG)-based input device for forearm amputees. To overcome the difficulties in analysing EMG and realising high DOF from biosignals, the following were integrated: (1) an online learning method to cope with nonlinearity and the individual difference of EMG signals; (2) a smoothing algorithm to deal with noisy recognition results and transition states; and (3) a modified Huffman coding algorithm to generate the optimal code, taking expected error and input efficiency into consideration. Experiments showed the validity of the system and the possibility for development of a quiet, free-posture (no postural restriction) input device with many DOF for users, including forearm amputees.

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Ergonomic Test of the Kinesis Keyboard

Cited by 14 publications

References 6 publications

Wrist and Forearm Postures of Users of Conventional Computer Keyboards

Wrist and Forearm Postures of Users of Conventional Computer Keyboards

Workplace Use of an Adjustable Keyboard: Adjustment Preferences and Effect on Wrist Posture

An EMG Keyboard for Forearm Amputees

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