Effects of a Multitouch Keyboard on Wrist Posture,Typing Performance and Comfort

Abstract

This study compares the use of a conventional keyboard (CK) and a prototype ultra-low profile MultiTouch keyless keyboard (MTK) that only requires contact force to register a keystroke and allows mousing and gestural input on the same surface. Twelve subjects completed eight randomly assigned 7.5- minute typing tasks of text passages of similar difficulty and identical length for each keyboard condition. Typing speed, accuracy, wrist postures and user comfort were measured. Subjects, typed slower (F_1,11 = 41.86, p=0.000) and less accurately (F_1,11 = 23.55, p=0.001) on the MTK during the typing tasks. Mean wrist extension was lower for the MTK (F_1,11= 10.205, p=0.000) while radial and ulnar deviation did not differ significantly between the two keyboards. Subjects preferred the CK and reported a higher level of ease (F_1,11 = 49.732, p=0.00) and enjoyment (F_1,11 = 51.129, p=0.00) during its use. In terms of comfort, subjects reported a higher level of ease and enjoyment in the CK condition. Familiarity and fatigue effects affected the results.

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Alden

Daniels

Kanarick

(1972). Keyboard design and operation: A review of the major issues Human Factors, 14, 275–293.

Browne

Bederson

Druin

Sherman

Westerman

(2000). Designing a Collaborative Finger Painting Application for Children. College Park: Human-Computer Interaction Laboratory, Institute for Advanced Computer Studies, University of Maryland.

Brunner

Richardson

R. M.

(1984). Effects of keyboard design and typing skill on user keyboard preferences and throughput performance. In Proceedings of the 28th Annual Meeting of the Human Factors Society. Santa Monica, CA: Human Factors Society, 267–270.

BSR & HFES (2002). Human factors engineering of computer workstations. Santa Monica, CA: HFES.

Detwiler

Hunan

Choi

(2000). The battle of input devices: examining the FingerWorks FingerBoard. College Park: Human-Computer Interaction Laboratory, Institute for Advanced Computer Studies, University of Maryland.

Lewis

Potosnak

Magyar

(1997). Keys and Keyboards. In Helander

Landauer

T.K.

Prabhu

(Eds.) Handbook of Human-Computer Interaction. Amsterdam: Elsevier. pp. 1285–1315.

MacKenzie

I. S.

Zhang

S. X.

(2001). An empirical investigation of the novice experience with soft keyboards Behaviour & Information Technology, 20, 411–418.

Marklin

Simoneau

Monroe

(1999). Wrist and forearm posture from typing on split and vertically inclined computer keyboards Human Factors, 41, 559–569.

NIOSH (1997). Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and workplace factors: A critical review of epidemiologic evidence for work-related musculoskeletal disorders of the neck, upper extremity, and low back. Cincinnati, OH: Author.

10.

Shanis

Hedge

(2003). Comparison of Mouse, Touchpad and Multitouch Input Technologies. In Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergnonomics Society 47th Annual Meeting (pp. 746–749). Santa Monica, CA: HFES.

11.

Tittiranonda

Burastero

Rempel

(1999). Risk factors for musculoskeletal disorders among computer users Occupational Medicine: State of the Art Reviews, 14, 17–38.

12.

Westerman

Elias

J. G.

Hedge

(2001). Multi-touch: A new tactile 2-D gesture interface for human interaction. In Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society 45th Annual Meeting Santa Monica, CA: HFES, 632–636.

13.

Woldstad

J. C.

Jedriewski

M. A.

(1993). Initial wrist posture during typing for different keyboard heights and slopes. In Advances in Industrial Ergonomics and Safety V (pp. 257–262). London: Taylor & Francis.