Jt. Dennerlein et Mc. Yang, Haptic force-feedback devices for the office computer: Performance and musculoskeletal loading issues, HUMAN FACT, 43(2), 2001, pp. 278-286
Pointing devices, essential input tools for the graphical user interface (G
UI) of desktop computers, require precise motor control and dexterity to us
e. Haptic force-feedback devices provide the human operator with tactile cu
es, adding the sense of touch to existing visual and auditory interfaces. H
owever, the performance enhancements, comfort, and possible musculoskeletal
loading of using a force-feedback device in an office environment are unkn
own. Hypothesizing that the time to perform a task and the self-reported pa
in and discomfort of the task improve with the addition of force feedback,
26 people ranging in age from 22 to 44 years performed a point-and-click ta
sk 540 times with and without an attractive force field surrounding the des
ired target. The point-and-click movements were approximately 25% faster wi
th the addition of force feedback (paired t-tests, p < 0.001). Perceived us
er discomfort and pain, as measured through a questionnaire, were also smal
ler with the addition of force feedback (p < 0.001). However, this differen
ce decreased as additional distracting force fields were added to the task
environment, simulating a more realistic work situation. These results sugg
est that for a given task, use of a force-feedback device improves performa
nce, and potentially reduces musculoskeletal loading during mouse use. Actu
al or potential applications of this research include human-computer interf
ace design, specifically that of the pointing device extensively used for t
he graphical user interface.