ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT This study investigated task performance (point-and-c1ick and dragging), wrist posture (extension/flexion and ulnar/radial deviation), when using a conventional optical computer mouse, a contoured mouse design, a slanted design and 2 vertical optical mouse designs. Twenty four participants (12 male, 12 female), between 1835 years of age, were tested. Hand anthropometric measures were taken. Mouse design significantly affected performance for point-and-c1ick (P=O.OOO) and dragging tasks (P=O.OOO). Performance was slowest with the conventional mouse and fastest for the vertical mice. Although ulnar deviation was slightly less for the vertical mice (P=O.OOO) wrist extension was substantially larger for these designs (P=O.OOO), which poses a greater risk of a musculoskeletal hand/wrist injury. Wrist posture was best for the slanted mouse design.
