ABSTRACT
There are numerous types of equipment that can be classified as support appliances, available to assist with computer input work. Such devices are primarily designed for use with keyboards and mice. Although the mouse is used extensively, and there have been suggestions of problems resulting from its use, little research has been carried out to investigate support appliances specifically designed for mouse users. From those studies that have been reported there is the suggestion that use of a mouse support appliance can result in a reduction in muscle strain and exertion in the muscles of the hand-arm system (Paul & Nair, 1996; Strasser & Keller, 1997) and shoulder region (Feng et al, 1997). Several studies also corroborate these results with supporting subjective responses (Paul & Nair, 1996; Strasser & Keller, 1997; Cook & Kothiyal, 1998). However, other studies have shown mouse support appliances to have no positive effects on wrist posture (Damann & Kroemer, 1995; Hedge, 1995).
