Perceived Musculoskeletal Loading during use of a Force-Feedback Computer Mouse

Abstract

With 30 to 80 percent of computer work involving the use of a pointing device, engineers are constantly exploring new and better interface designs. The introduction of a force-feedback mouse, which provides high fidelity tactile cues via force output, may represent such a long-awaited technological breakthrough. However, force may also be a risk factor for musculoskeletal disorders of the upper extremity, especially those associated with the use of computer input devices. For a point-and-click task, we hypothesize that both the performance and the self-reported task difficulty and comfort (i.e. pain and discomfort) improve with the application of an attractive basin force field (gravity sink like effect) around the target in comparison to a typical mouse with no force field. Fifteen adult subjects performed a point-and-click task 520 times with and without an attractive force basin around the target. The movements varied in direction and distance, and the order of presentation was randomized. Movement times were significantly shorter (p < 0.0001) with the attractive force basin than without it. Perceived user discomfort and pain as measured through a questionnaire were also smaller with the attractive basin than with none. For the given task, the results suggest that the use of an attractive force-feedback basin may reduce the musculoskeletal loading during computer mouse use.