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Keyboard use and musculoskeletal outcomes among computer users.
Fred Gerr1, Carolyn P Monteilh, Michele Marcus
1Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, College of Public Health, University of Iowa, 100 Oakdale Campus, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA. fred-gerr@uiowa.edu
Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation
|June 28, 2006
Summary
Keyboard use intensity and poor posture are linked to upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders. Optimizing posture and minimizing keyboard strain can reduce risks for neck, shoulder, and hand/arm pain.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Epidemiology
- Musculoskeletal Disorders
Background:
- Explores epidemiological evidence on upper extremity musculoskeletal symptoms and disorders.
- Examines associations with keyboard use intensity and computer user posture.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and synthesize existing literature on computer use and musculoskeletal outcomes.
- To identify trends and potential risk factors for computer-related musculoskeletal disorders.
Main Methods:
- Conducted an OVID Medline literature search from 1966 to November 2005.
- Included 39 epidemiological studies examining associations between computer use and musculoskeletal outcomes.
- Focused on studies measuring keyboard use in hours or as a percentage of work time and investigator-ascertained posture.
Main Results:
- A consistent association was found between hours of keying and hand/arm outcomes.
- Specific postures, such as placing the keyboard below elbow height and resting arms, may reduce neck/shoulder risk.
- Minimizing ulnar deviation and keyboard thickness appears to lower hand/arm risk.
Conclusions:
- Methodological limitations in existing studies (e.g., sample bias, imprecise measures) contribute to result heterogeneity.
- Future research should focus on improving study validity and controlling for confounding factors.
- Recommendations are provided for enhancing future investigations into computer-related musculoskeletal disorders.