Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 28, 2026
05:42
An Assessment Method and Toolkit to Evaluate Keyboard Design on Smartphones
Published on: October 5, 2020
2.6K
Hand usage pattern and upper body discomfort of desktop touchscreen users
1a Department of Human and Systems Engineering , Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology , Ulsan , Korea.
Ergonomics
|June 13, 2014
Summary
Desktop touchscreen users experience varying body discomfort based on handedness. Hand usage patterns and interface design can help mitigate discomfort for right-handed, left-handed, and ambidextrous users.
Area of Science:
- Human-Computer Interaction
- Ergonomics
- Usability Studies
Background:
- Desktop touchscreen displays are increasingly common.
- User interaction patterns and their impact on physical comfort are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between user handedness, hand usage patterns, and body discomfort during desktop touchscreen use.
- To identify factors influencing discomfort development in different user groups.
Main Methods:
- A laboratory study involving 21 participants across three handedness groups (right-handed, left-handed, ambidextrous).
- Participants performed 30 minutes of web-browsing on a 23-inch touchscreen display.
- Subjective body discomfort, hand usage frequency, and touch area preference were quantified.
Main Results:
- Participants reported increasing body discomfort over time, with variations across handedness groups for specific body parts.
- Right-handed users exhibited stronger hand laterality compared to left-handed users.
- Ambidextrous users demonstrated more even hand usage.
Conclusions:
- Hand usage patterns are associated with body discomfort development in desktop touchscreen users.
- User interface design (e.g., menu placement) and user training (e.g., hand alternation) can potentially moderate user discomfort.
