Effect of the Number Pad on Mousing Location

Abstract

Previous research has suggested that the mousing location that encourages the best posture cannot be used when the keyboard has a number pad, so researchers have suggested using keyboards without number pads. No previous researcher has tested whether users actually use the extra space available when they use keyboards without number pads. Participants were videotaped working at a computer workstation using a keyboard with a number pad in one round and using a keyboard without a number pad in the other round. The initial mouse placement locations were compared between the two rounds. The mouse was placed closer to the center of the workstation when the keyboard without a number pad was used (p < 0.001). These results suggest that a change in keyboard without any instruction or training is enough to encourage computer users to use the mouse closer to the sagittal plane, which in turn should encourage better posture. Keyboards without number pads should be used instead of standard, full-size keyboards.