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Wrist motion is distinct between touch screen and manual or digital devices
Mandi J Lopez1, Catherine Takawira1, Mary P Fox2
1Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, United States of America.
Plos One
|October 9, 2023
Summary
Touch screen device use can restrict wrist motion, potentially causing overuse injuries. Device design and usage should consider sex and handedness for injury prevention.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Human-Computer Interaction
- Occupational Health
Background:
- Restricted wrist motion during touch screen device use may lead to overuse injuries.
- Understanding wrist movement patterns is crucial for preventing repetitive strain injuries.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify wrist motion during various touch screen and digital device interactions.
- To test the hypothesis that mobile touch screen device use reduces wrist motion.
Main Methods:
- An active motion detection system recorded wrist motion in 12 participants.
- Quantified range of motion (ROM), radial-ulnar deviation, and flexion-extension for multiple tasks.
- Included tablet use, phone calls, texting, typing, and calculator use with digital and manual devices.
Main Results:
- Cell phone use resulted in greater medial radial deviation and ROM compared to traditional phones.
- Nondominant wrists showed greater medial radial deviation during backward tablet swiping and page turning.
- Typing involved greater wrist extension and ROM than texting; females exhibited greater lateral extension and ROM than males with manual calculators.
Conclusions:
- Device design and usage recommendations should incorporate sex and handedness considerations.
- Optimizing device interaction can enhance performance and prevent wrist injuries.
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