The effects of user friendly keyboard slope modifications on wrist postures when keyboarding

Abstract

Background: Extensive keyboarding has been associated as a risk factor for repetitive strain injuries. Modifying the slope angle may decrease the negative cumulative effects of this activity.

Objective: This study investigated the kinematic effect of four keyboard modifications on wrist extension during keyboarding.

Participants: 32 female college students between the age of 21 and 25, mean age of 22.4 years.

Method: A Greenleaf Biomechanical Analyzer was utilized to determine the wrist extension angles across four keyboard modifications.

Results: A one way ANOVA with repeated measures revealed significant differences between all 4 test conditions for both right and left wrist extension, Wilks Lambda 0.249 F (3,29) 29.1, p=0.000 n $^{2}$ = 0.75 for left wrist and Wilks Lambda 0.158 F (3,29) 51.6, p=0.000 n $^{2}$ = 0.84 for the right wrist.

Conclusion: The study suggests that simple modifications to a standard computer keyboard can significantly vary wrist angles during keyboarding. These findings could possibly improve worksite modification guidelines and prevent repetitive strain injuries among keyboarders.