Comparing learning during the familiarization phase with a slanted mouse and a vertical mouse when performing a...

Area of Science:

• Ergonomics
• Human-Computer Interaction
• Occupational Health

Background:

• Forearm pronation can be reduced using vertical and slanted mouse designs.
• Previous studies analyzed discomfort, performance, and stress with these mice.
• Learning during the familiarization phase with these mouse models has not been previously studied.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the learning speed and familiarization phase of vertical and slanted mouse models.
• To evaluate the efficiency of different mouse designs in task performance over repeated trials.

Main Methods:

• Eighteen female participants performed repeated pointing-clicking tasks.
• Tasks were performed with a standard mouse, a slanted mouse, and a vertical mouse in a randomized order.
• Task duration was measured to analyze learning curves, identifying a plateau indicating task familiarization.

Main Results:

• Both slanted and vertical mice reached task familiarization after approximately 30 repetitions.
• The plateau duration was comparable between the slanted and vertical mouse models.
• The vertical mouse showed a significantly increased learning slope when used second compared to first, indicating slower initial learning.

Conclusions:

• Learning speed is slower with the vertical mouse compared to the slanted mouse.
• The slanted mouse is a preferable ergonomic alternative to the vertical mouse.
• Decision-makers and employees should consider the slanted mouse for reducing forearm pronation and improving learning efficiency.