NIOSHTIC-2 Publications Search
Viability of using digital signals from the keyboard to capture typing force exposures.
Authors
Kim JH; Johnson PW
Source
Ergonomics 2012 Nov; 55(11):1395-1403
NIOSHTIC No.
20045079
Abstract
Although previous studies have shown that systematic temporal changes in keystroke durations may be used as surrogate measures of muscle fatigue, software-based keystroke duration may be adversely affected by different keyswitch force-displacement characteristics. Therefore, this study used a force platform to measure the keystroke durations and compared them to software-based measures in order to determine whether the software-based keystroke duration is a robust surrogate measure for the force-derived durations (independent of keyswitch designs). A total of 13 subjects typed for 15 minutes each on three keyboards with different force-displacement characteristics. The results showed that the software-based keystroke durations closely mirrored and approximated the true force-derived keystroke durations, regardless of the force-displacement characteristics. Furthermore, the subject-dependent correlations indicated that the software-based keystroke durations approximated the true force-derived keystroke durations. Therefore, the software-based keystroke durations could be used as a surrogate non-invasive, cost-effective measure to identify muscle fatigue during computer use for large-scale epidemiological studies. Practitioner Summary: Developing non-invasive, cost-effective computer exposure assessment tools can help researchers develop a better understanding on the underlying mechanisms of computer-related musculoskeletal disorders. This study demonstrates how software measured keystroke duration can be used as a non-invasive, cost-effective exposure assessment measure during computer use.
Keywords
Keyboard-operators; Muscle-function; Muscles; Musculoskeletal-system; Musculoskeletal-system-disorders; Fatigue; Exposure-levels; Force; Humans; Men; Women; Measurement-equipment; Analytical-processes; Exposure-assessment;
Author Keywords: Computer use; musculoskeletal disorders; exposure assessment; keystroke duration; office ergonomics
Contact
Peter W. Johnson, Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
CODEN
ERGOAX
Publication Date
20121101
Document Type
Journal Article
Email Address
petej@uw.edu
Funding Type
Grant
Fiscal Year
2013
Identifying No.
Grant-Number-R21-OH-009088
Issue of Publication
11
ISSN
0014-0139
Source Name
Ergonomics
State
WA
Performing Organization
University of Washington
Page last reviewed: September 2, 2020
Content source:
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
Education and Information Division