Workplace use of an adjustable keyboard: Adjustment preferences and effecton wrist posture

This study presents an evaluation of an adjustable keyboard based on subjec tive preference and wrist joint motion during typing, Thirty-five computer users used the adjustable split design keyboard for 7-14 days during their usual work and were instructed to adjust the keyboard to the opening angle they preferred. At the end of this period, three-dimensional motion analysi s was performed to compare the distribution of wrist joint angles while sub jects typed on a conventional keyboard and the adjustable keyboard adjusted to the subject's preferred angle. The mean preferred opening angle was 14 degrees +/- 10, The mean ulnar deviation of the subjects who selected the o pening angles between 21 and 28 degrees (n = 12) decreased from 18 degrees +/- 5 on the flat to 14 degrees +/- 5 on the adjustable (p < 0.05), while t hose who selected 0 to 10 degrees (n = 6) and 11 to 20 degrees (n = 17) spl it angles showed no significant differences in ulnar deviation. Mean wrist extension on the adjustable keyboard was 17 degrees +/- 5 and was significa ntly less than the 24 degrees +/- 5 observed on the conventional keyboard a nd most likely due to the presence of palm support. On average, subjects re ported that the adjustable keyboard was more comfortable (0.5 +/- 0.5) (wor se = -1, same = 0, better, = 1) in comparison with the conventional keyboar d.