Effectiveness of an ergonomic keyboard for typists with work related upper extremity disorders: a follow-up study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether long-term use of an ergonomic keyboard was effective in reducing symptom severity and improving functional status for individuals who experience symptoms of work related upper extremity disorders (WRUED). PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-nine symptomatic workers employed by a single company. METHODS: Participants were assessed after using an ergonomic keyboard for an average of 34 months. Symptom severity, clinical signs, functional status, and typing speed were measured and compared with baseline and six-month study data. RESULTS: Repeated-measure analysis identified that participants maintained the improvement realized at the six-month study mark for symptom severity and functional status, and maintained their typing speed and accuracy. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the study suggest that continuous ergonomic keyboard use was effective in maintaining improvements obtained after six months of use. The potential for ergonomic keyboard use in preventing injury in keyboard operators warrants further investigation.

The effect of alternate style keyboards on severity of symptoms and functional status of individuals with work related upper extremity disorders.

UNLABELLED: 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.