Levanon Yafa, Gefen Amit, Lerman Yehuda, Portnoy Sigal, Ratzon Navah Z
Department of Occupational Therapy, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
Department of Bio-Engineering, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
Saf Health Work. 2016 Dec;7(4):347-353. doi: 10.1016/j.shaw.2016.04.008. Epub 2016 May 14.
This study aimed to investigate the relation between key strike forces and musculoskeletal symptoms (MSS). Moreover, this study presents a key strike force measurement method to be used in a workplace setting. The correlation between key strike force characteristics and MSS was previously studied, but the measurement methods used either a single-key switch or force platforms applied under the keyboard. Most of the studies were conducted in a laboratory setting. The uniqueness of measurement methods in the current study is their ability to measure forces applied to a specific key in a workplace setting and to provide more information about specific key strike forces during typing.
Twenty-four healthy computer workers were recruited for the study. The demographic questionnaire, and self-reported questionnaires for psychosocial status (General Nordic Questionnaire for Psychological and Social Factors at Work) and for detecting MSS were filled up, which later helped in dividing the participants into two groups (12 participants with pain and 12 without pain). Participants typed a predetermined text that utilized the instrumented keys multiple times. The dynamic forces applied to the keys were recorded and collected, using four thin and flexible force sensors attached to the preselected keys according to their location.
The results demonstrated that participants with high levels of MSS, specifically in the back and neck, in the last year exerted significantly higher key strike forces than those with lower levels of symptoms ( < 0.005).
The key strike force exerted while typing on a keyboard may be a risk factor for MSS, and should therefore be considered in ergonomic evaluations and interventional programs.
本研究旨在调查按键敲击力与肌肉骨骼症状（MSS）之间的关系。此外，本研究还提出了一种可在工作场所使用的按键敲击力测量方法。此前已对按键敲击力特征与MSS之间的相关性进行过研究，但所使用的测量方法要么是单键开关，要么是应用于键盘下方的测力平台。大多数研究是在实验室环境中进行的。本研究测量方法的独特之处在于，它们能够在工作场所环境中测量施加到特定按键上的力，并提供有关打字过程中特定按键敲击力的更多信息。
招募了24名健康的计算机工作者参与本研究。填写了人口统计学问卷、心理社会状况自我报告问卷（工作中心理和社会因素的北欧通用问卷）以及用于检测MSS的问卷，这些问卷后来有助于将参与者分为两组（12名有疼痛的参与者和12名无疼痛的参与者）。参与者多次输入使用了装有传感器按键的预定文本。根据预先选定按键的位置，使用四个薄而灵活的力传感器记录和收集施加到按键上的动态力。
结果表明，在过去一年中，MSS水平较高（尤其是背部和颈部）的参与者施加的按键敲击力明显高于症状水平较低的参与者（<0.005）。
在键盘上打字时施加的按键敲击力可能是MSS的一个风险因素，因此在人体工程学评估和干预计划中应予以考虑。
