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Mouse
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The mouse was originally introduced to make computer software easier to use. Instead of memorizing key commands, all the user had to do was point and click with the mouse. While wildly popular, the success of the graphical user interface and the mouse is not without problems. "When you look at some risk factors for repetitive strain injuries ‚- usually a combination of repetition, force, awkward positioning, and poor technique, several problems with the mouse become obvious" (26). By comparison, a keyboard allows the user to spread the workload between two hands, a mouse relies on one (usually the dominant) hand, which has to position and click repeatedly, which can strain both the hand and the clicking finger. In addition, users tend to grip the mouse too tightly and click while forcefully. Are the alternatives such as a trackball or touchpad any better? Deborah Quilter, author of The Repetitive Strain Injury Recovery Book doesn't believe so. Her recommendation is to use any one-handed input device sparingly (27). Ideally, the mouse should fit your hand comfortably and support your palm. The wrist should maintain a neutral, unflexed position and you should not have to grasp the mouse with your fingers. Whenever possible, use keyboard shortcut commands instead of using the mouse. Using the mouse frequently will put more strain on your wrist, so use the keyboard if you have the option. Just as the keyboard should require only a light touch, the mouse buttons should click easily without unnecessary force. The mouse should be centrally located in relation to the body and the keyboard, with enough room to move freely. A mouse that is stationed farther away forces the worker to reach and strain. In Compute in Comfort, Paul Linden suggests that the mouse should be located on the left side of the keyboard, even for users who are right-handed (28). He theorizes that placing the mouse on the right side forces the user to extend the arm farther away, hence placing more strain on the body. Some mice force the user to bend the hand back slightly in order to use them, which puts strain on the wrist and hand. Avoid the temptation to rest your wrist on the desk as you use the mouse because it will result in friction and possible irritation of the wrist. As with the keyboard, the feel of the mouse is very important. It should be light and easy to move, with buttons that respond fairly easily to touch and do not require a lot of force to push down. If you use an ergonomic keyboard that is wide, think about how much you use the mouse. If the mouse is used more frequently than the keyboard, shift the keyboard to the side. Be aware of "static loading," which refers to remaining still while contracting your muscles, which fatigues them. Deborah Quilter's example of this phenomenon is clutching the mouse while staring at the monitor (29). If you would like more information on how to safely use your mouse, visit: |
