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Related Experiment Videos

Observed finger behaviour during computer mouse use.

David L Lee1, Hugh McLoone, Jack T Dennerlein

  • 1Department of Environmental Health, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA.

Applied Ergonomics
|April 3, 2007
PubMed
Summary
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Computer mouse users often lift fingers to avoid accidental clicks, causing muscle strain. This study observed 100 students, finding frequent finger lifting and extended wrist postures during mouse use.

Area of Science:

  • Ergonomics
  • Human-Computer Interaction
  • Musculoskeletal Biomechanics

Background:

  • Two-button computer mouse usage can lead to sustained, static finger lifting behaviors.
  • This posture is adopted to prevent inadvertent button activations, resulting in prolonged finger extensor muscle loading.
  • Understanding these behaviors is crucial for addressing potential hand and forearm musculoskeletal issues.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To quantify the prevalence of specific finger lifting behaviors and postures among computer mouse users.
  • To examine wrist/forearm and grip behaviors during common mouse activities.
  • To identify risk factors associated with computer mouse use and inform ergonomic design.

Main Methods:

  • Observational study involving 100 graduate students performing normal computer work.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Quantification of finger lifting behaviors, finger postures, wrist/forearm resting positions, and grip patterns.
  • Analysis of mouse activities such as dragging and moving.

    • Main Results:

    • 48% of students exhibited middle finger lifting during mouse drag activities.
    • 23% of students displayed middle finger extension while moving the mouse.
    • 98% of students rested their wrist/forearm on the workstation, and 97% maintained an extended wrist posture (15-30 degrees).

    Conclusions:

    • Sustained finger lifting and extended wrist postures are prevalent among computer mouse users.
    • These behaviors represent potential risk factors for hand and forearm musculoskeletal pain.
    • Findings can guide the development of novel computer input devices to mitigate these ergonomic risks.