Abstract
Supporting the forearm on the work surface during
keyboard operation may increase comfort, decrease
muscular load of the neck and shoulders, and decrease
the time spent in ulnar deviation. Wrist rests are used
widely in the workplace and are more commonly being
incorporated in keyboard design. The aim of this study
was to examine the effect of wrist rest use on wrist
posture during forearm support. A laboratory based,
experimental study was conducted (subjects n=15) to
examine muscle activity and wrist postures during
keyboard and mouse tasks in each of two conditions;
wrist rest and no wrist rest. There were no significant
differences for right wrist flexion/extension between
use of a wrist rest and no wrist rest for keyboard or
mouse use. Left wrist extension was significantly
higher without a wrist rest than with a wrist rest
during keyboard use (df=14; t=2.95; p=0.01; d=0.38). No
differences with respect to use of a wrist rest were
found for the left or right hand for ulnar deviation
for keyboard or mouse use. There were no differences in
muscle activity between the test conditions for
keyboard use.Relevance to industryWrist rests are used
widely in the workplace and are more commonly being
incorporated in keyboard design. Use of a wrist rest in
conjunction with forearm support when using a
conventional desk does not appear to have any impact on
wrist posture or muscle activity during keyboard use.
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