Effects of forearm and palm supports on the upper extremity during computer mouse use

Details

• Personal Author:
  Dennerlein, Jack T. ; Onyebeke LC ; Trudeau MB ; Young JG
• Description:
  The use of forearm and palm supports has been associated with lower neck and shoulder muscle activity as well as reduced musculoskeletal discomfort during keyboard use, however, few studies have investigated their effect during computer mouse use. Eight men and eight women completed several computer mousing tasks in six arm support conditions: Forearm Support, Flat Palm Support, Raised Palm Support, Forearm + Flat Palm Support, Forearm + Raised Palm Support, and No Support. Concurrently, an infrared three-dimensional motion analysis system measured postures, six-degree-of-freedom force-torque sensors measured applied forces & torques, and surface electromyography measured muscle activity. The use of forearm support compared to the no support condition was significantly associated with less shoulder muscle activity & torque, and the raised palm support was associated with less wrist extension. Forearm supports reduced shoulder flexion torque by 90% compared to no support. The use of either support also resulted in lower applied forces to the mouse pad. Participants reported less musculoskeletal discomfort when using a support. These results provide recommendations for office workstation setup and inform ergonomists of effective ways to reduce musculoskeletal exposures. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Biomechanical Phenomena Computers Cumulative Trauma Disorders Men Musculoskeletal Diseases Musculoskeletal System Occupational Health Risk Assessment Risk Factors Safety
• Keywords:
  Arm-injuries Arm Supports Author Keywords: Computer Mouse Use Biomechanical-modeling Biomechanics Computer-equipment Cumulative-trauma-disorders Force Hand-injuries Humans Keyboard-operators Models Muscle-function Muscle-stress Muscle-tissue Musculoskeletal-system Musculoskeletal-system-disorders Office Workstation Design Overloading Physiological-measurements Physiological-testing Physiology Posture Risk-factors

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• ISSN:
  0003-6870
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Grant
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  Massachusetts ; OSHA Region 1
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Volume:
  45
• Issue:
  3
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20045292
• Citation:
  Appl Ergon 2014 May; 45(3):564-570
• Contact Point Address:
  Jack T. Dennerlein, Department of Physical Therapy, Bouvé College of Health Sciences, Northeastern University, 6 Robinson Hall, 360 Huntington Ave., Boston, MA 02115
• Email:
  j.dennerlein@neu.edu
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2014
• Performing Organization:
  Harvard University School of Public Health
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Start Date:
  20070301
• Source Full Name:
  Applied Ergonomics
• End Date:
  20120228
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:7b1c632328c2dad853e0efce3e9510be9a312e85e677a925a9c6e94697cf8b009182ce4b517f9161db143a90e76ed68f3de534bf84f40fae102e30cdf0f4ba00
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/200757/cdc_200757_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 924.58 KB ]