The Effect of Alternative Keyboards on Discomfort and Typing Kinematics

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Awkward postures during computer keyboard use have been hypothesized to be one cause of musculoskeletal pain/discomfort as well as musculoskeletal disorders of the upper extremity (MSD-UE). Alternative computer keyboards purport to reduce musculoskeletal pain/discomfort and have been shown to change aspects of keyboard users' kinematics under laboratory conditions. However, research that has examined the effectiveness of alternative keyboards in reducing musculoskeletal pain/discomfort in the workplace is equivocal, and no study has examined the association between postures and musculoskeletal pain. The Aims of this 3-year prospective double cross-over trial are: 1) To examine the effectiveness of an alternative keyboard in reducing reports of pain over 6-months; 2) To examine the neutrality and stability of postures during keyboard use; and 3) To identify which postures are associated with lower levels of musculoskeletal pain. Seventy-five computer users will be randomly assigned to one of two keyboard use orders: Group 1 - AB (standard keyboard, alternative keyboard); Group 2 - BA (alternative keyboard, standard keyboard). All subjects will use their assigned keyboards for 6-months before switching to the next keyboard. Every week, subjects will report their musculoskeletal pain levels. Just prior to and just after each 6-month intervention subjects' kinematics performances on the keyboards will be recorded at the worksite using the Keyboard - Personal Computing Style (K-PeCS) instrument and in a laboratory setting using 3-dimensional motion capture technology. Aim 1: To examine the effectiveness of an alternative keyboard in reducing pain over 6-months. Hypothesis 1 (H-1) - At six months subjects using an alternative keyboard will have significantly lower musculoskeletal pain levels than when using a standard keyboard. Aim 2: To examine the neutrality and stability of postures during keyboard use. Hypothesis 3 (H-2) - Subjects using an alternative keyboard will have significantly more neutral postures than when using a standard keyboard at baseline and at 6 months Hypothesis 3 (H-3) - Subjects 6-months keyboarding postures will remain equivalent to the keyboarding postures documented at baseline.

Official Title
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The Effect of Alternative Keyboards on Discomfort and Typing Kinematics

Conditions
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Pain

Intervention / Treatment
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* Device: Alternative Keyboard


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Use a computer at least 20 hrs per week Aged 18-65 Experiencing some pain during computer use Exclusion Criteria: Currently use an alternative keyboard Serious trauma injury to the upper extremity Rheumatic disorder

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 65 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Prevention
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Crossover Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: A<br>Subject receives typical keyboard first for 6 months and alternative keyboard second for 6 months | Device: Alternative Keyboard<br>* Subjects use either a typical or alternative keyboard<br>* Other names: Microsoft Natural Ergonomic;|
| Experimental: B<br>Subject receives alternative keyboard first for 6 months and typical keyboard second for 6 months | Device: Alternative Keyboard<br>* Subjects use either a typical or alternative keyboard<br>* Other names: Microsoft Natural Ergonomic;|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Musculoskeletal Discomfort | Discomfort Survey (WDS) was used to assess symptoms and activity limitations. Participants reported on their work schedule, medication used for pain control, and discomfort in their neck/shoulder, back, and bilateral lower arms (elbows, forearms, wrists, and hands) using an 11-point numerical rating scale (0 = no discomfort/no limitations; 10 = unbearable discomfort/major limitations). We had to dichotomize the data during analysis due to severe skew towards not discomfort (0). Thus the final outcome was discomfort -yes or no | 6 months and 12 months |