ABSTRACT
A concise overview of the literature on upper extremity supports is presented in this chapter. These are
devices or elements that are incorporated into a workstation’s design in order to reduce postural muscle
activity and fatigue, joint and soft tissue loading, or the effects of physiologic tremor on precision tasks.
The use of arm supports for some specific work activities, including keyboarding and microsurgery,
are discussed in some detail. Where sufficient evidence exists, recommendations are provided for
circumstance-specific use of upper extremity supports. A related chapter in this book, “Medical Manage-
ment: Wrist Splints,” describes another means by which wrists may be supported, a method that seems
best reserved for people with medical conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis or carpal tunnel
syndrome.
