The effect of tablet tilt angle on users' preferences, postures, and performance

Albin, Thomas; McLoone, Hugh

doi:10.3233/wor-131670

Cited by 20 publications

(25 citation statements)

References 12 publications

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“…Musculoskeletal symptoms have been examined in four cross-sectional [ 23 – 25 , 33 ], four case-control [ 21 , 41 , 44 , 51 ] and eight experimental laboratory studies [ 18 , 35 – 37 , 47 , 54 , 59 , 62 ]. In the cross-sectional studies, neck and/or shoulder symptoms had the highest prevalence rates reported among MTSD users, ranging from 26.3% to 60% [ 23 , 25 , 33 ].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Discomfort of the wrists and arms were generally higher with tablet use on the lap or during inclined sitting on a bed compared to when sitting at a desk [ 54 ]. Comfort of the hands and arms was reported to be lower at 60° compared to at 34° tablet tilt angles [ 37 ]. There was also lower distal upper extremity comfort with small compared to large key sizes [ 47 ], and during gaming compared to movie watching [ 35 ].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Tilt angles of tablet supported in cases on a desk also had an effect on musculoskeletal exposures associated with MTSD use, and were investigated in some relatively small studies (n = 10 to n = 33) conducted with young to middle-aged adults. Four studies showed, in general, increasing head and neck flexion with decreasing tablet tilt angles ranging from 73° tilt (almost vertical) to 0° tilt (horizontal on desk) [ 33 , 37 , 64 , 67 ]. The gravitational demand on head and neck, trunk flexion angles [ 64 ] and activity of the upper trapezius were higher, but anterior deltoid muscle activity was lower [ 35 ], while using a tablet at lower compared to higher tilt angles.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

The associations of mobile touch screen device use with musculoskeletal symptoms and exposures: A systematic review

et al. 2017

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BackgroundThe use of mobile touch screen devices (MTSDs) has increased rapidly over the last decade, and there are concerns that their use may have negative musculoskeletal consequences; yet evidence on the association of MTSD use with musculoskeletal symptoms and exposures is currently dispersed. The aim of this study was to systematically review available literature on musculoskeletal symptoms and exposures associated with MTSD use. The synthesised information may facilitate wise use of MTSDs and may identify areas in need of further research.MethodsEMBASE, Medline, Scopus, PsycINFO and Proquest electronic databases were searched for articles published up to June 2016, using keywords describing MTSD, musculoskeletal symptoms (e.g. pain, discomfort) and musculoskeletal exposures (e.g. posture, muscle activity). Two reviewers independently screened the articles, extracted relevant data and assessed methodological quality of included studies. Due to heterogeneity in the studies, a meta-analysis was not possible and a structured narrative synthesis of the findings was undertaken.ResultsA total of 9,908 articles were screened for eligibility with 45 articles finally included for review. Included articles were of cross-sectional, case-control or experimental laboratory study designs. No longitudinal studies were identified. Findings were presented and discussed in terms of the amount, features, tasks and positions of MTSD use and its association with musculoskeletal symptoms and musculoskeletal exposures.ConclusionsThere is limited evidence that MTSD use, and various aspects of its use (i.e. amount of usage, features, tasks and positions) are associated with musculoskeletal symptoms and exposures. This is due to mainly low quality experimental and case-control laboratory studies, with few cross-sectional and no longitudinal studies. Further research is warranted in order to develop guidelines for wise use of MTSDs.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The associations of mobile touch screen device use with musculoskeletal symptoms and exposures: A systematic review

et al. 2017

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“…Typing on a tablet is usually much slower than typing using a keyboard and has been found to be 4 times less effective than that of the traditional computer (Werth & Babski‐Reeves, ). Typing performance was significantly better in a previous study (Albin & McLoone, ) encompassing a self‐chosen tilt angle, which averaged at about 34 degrees. The typing speed of this study (142 ± 9 characters per minute) was slightly faster than in a previous study (Trudeau et al., ) with a standard tablet keyboard (127 ± 5 characters per minute).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 55%

Optimal location of the tablet for typing while listening to a song

Yoon

Lee

2018

Hum Ftrs & Erg Mfg Svc

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Tablets are much heavier than smartphones and able to bring more musculoskeletal disorders in the upper extremities. The aim of this study was to understand the effects of tablet location on the recruitment of muscles in the neck and upper extremities. Fifteen healthy volunteers typed the lyrics while listening to a song at three tablet locations for 5 min. An iPad 2 was randomly located at one of the levels with 70, 90, and 130 degrees of elbow flexion in sitting. Typing duration, frequency of typing error, perceived levels of fatigue, and subjective position preferences were recorded and recruitment of muscles in the neck and upper extremities was measured. Muscle recruitment of three parts of the trapezius and biceps brachii decreased and use of the levator scapula increased as the vertical level of the tablet heightened. Self‐reported discomfort increased significantly in the neck, upper back, shoulders, elbows, and wrists over time regardless of the tablet location. The table location affected the self‐reported discomfort only at the elbow joints. Subjective preference was highest at the lowest tablet location with the 130‐degree elbow flexion. The vertical levels of the tablet and typing duration independently affected the muscle recruitment and self‐reported discomfort. Findings of this study can be helpful for tablet users in preventing musculoskeletal disorders in the upper extremities.

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“…Previous studies using a desktop computer have demonstrated greater neck flexion is associated with lower vertical height of the screen [32,33], consistent with our finding of greater neck flexion using a tablet and laptop. However, tablets are often used in a variety of tablet positions and tilt angles [18], with some authors recommending a tilt angle of between 20 and 50 degrees [34]. It has also been previously shown that reading a book with it flat on a desk results in greater cervical erector spinae muscle activity [35].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Differences in posture kinematics between using a tablet, a laptop, and a desktop computer in sitting and in standing

James

Edwards

et al. 2018

WOR

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BACKGROUND: Alternative methods of accessing the internet and performing computing-related work tasks are becoming common, e.g., using tablets or standing workstations. Few studies examine postural differences while using these alternative methods. OBJECTIVE: To assess neck and upper limb kinematics while using a tablet, laptop and desktop computer (sitting and standing). METHODS: Differences in neck flexion/extension, lateral flexion, rotation; elbow flexion/extension; wrist flexion/extension, radial/ulnar deviation; and shoulder elevation in 30 participants were assessed in four conditions, three in sitting (tablet, laptop and desktop computer) and one in standing (desktop computer). Three-dimensional motion capture recorded posture variables during an editing task. Differences between variables were determined using one-way ANOVA with Bonferroni post-hoc tests. RESULTS: Compared to the desktop (sitting), tablet and laptop use resulted in increased neck flexion (mean differ

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The effect of tablet tilt angle on users' preferences, postures, and performance

Cited by 20 publications

References 12 publications

The associations of mobile touch screen device use with musculoskeletal symptoms and exposures: A systematic review

The associations of mobile touch screen device use with musculoskeletal symptoms and exposures: A systematic review

Optimal location of the tablet for typing while listening to a song

Differences in posture kinematics between using a tablet, a laptop, and a desktop computer in sitting and in standing

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