Marklin R W, Simoneau G C
Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Marquette University, PO Box 1881, Milwaukee, WI 53201-1881, USA.
Phys Ther. 2001 Apr;81(4):1038-48.
Alternative computer keyboards whose halves can be slanted toward each other can reduce a risk factor (ulnar deviation) for work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) affecting the upper limbs. Two questions that computer keyboard operators face when using keyboards that can be separated into halves (split keyboards) are: (1) At what angle should the keyboard halves be opened? and (2) At what distance apart should the keyboard halves be placed? The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of the opening angle and separation distance between halves of a split keyboard on wrist ulnar deviation and typing efficiency.
Eleven experienced computer keyboard operators participated in this study and used a split keyboard that was set up in a conventional (nonsplit) format and also in 3 alternative configurations: (1) centers of keyboard halves were separated at 20-cm distance, (2) keyboard halves were separated half of the distance of shoulder width, and (3) keyboard halves were separated at shoulder width distance.
The 3 alternative configurations resulted in ulnar deviation of both wrists that were less than ulnar deviation from typing on a conventional setup. There were no differences in ulnar deviations among the 3 alternative configurations.
The results of this research provide physical therapists and ergonomists with a set of configurations of a split keyboard that they can recommend to their patients or clients. All of the alternative configurations of the split keyboard are beneficial in promoting a neutral wrist position, which theoretically would decrease exposure to WMSDs such as tenosynovitis in the wrist and carpal tunnel syndrome.
两半可相互倾斜的替代性电脑键盘能够降低影响上肢的与工作相关的肌肉骨骼疾病（WMSDs）的一个风险因素（尺骨偏斜）。电脑键盘使用者在使用可分为两半的键盘（分体键盘）时面临的两个问题是：（1）键盘两半应打开多大角度？以及（2）键盘两半应相隔多远放置？本研究的目的是调查分体键盘两半之间的打开角度和分隔距离对腕部尺骨偏斜和打字效率的影响。
11名经验丰富的电脑键盘使用者参与了本研究，他们使用了一个设置为传统（非分体）形式的分体键盘，以及3种替代配置：（1）键盘两半的中心相隔20厘米，（2）键盘两半相隔肩宽的一半距离，（3）键盘两半相隔肩宽距离。
这3种替代配置导致双腕的尺骨偏斜均小于在传统设置下打字时的尺骨偏斜。这3种替代配置之间的尺骨偏斜没有差异。
本研究结果为物理治疗师和人体工程学专家提供了一组分体键盘配置，他们可以向患者或客户推荐。分体键盘的所有替代配置都有利于促进手腕处于中立位置，从理论上讲，这将减少接触如手腕腱鞘炎和腕管综合征等与工作相关的肌肉骨骼疾病。
