The Effect of Alternative Keyboards on Discomfort and Typing Kinematics

NCT00801983 | Completed Results DMC

• 2 other identifiers: 08030467R01OH008961
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 85
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Awkward postures during computer keyboard use have been hypothesized to be one cause of musculoskeletal pain/discomfort as well as musculoskeletal disorders of the upper extremity (MSD-UE). Alternative computer keyboards purport to reduce musculoskeletal pain/discomfort and have been shown to change aspects of keyboard users' kinematics under laboratory conditions. However, research that has examined the effectiveness of alternative keyboards in reducing musculoskeletal pain/discomfort in the workplace is equivocal, and no study has examined the association between postures and musculoskeletal pain. The Aims of this 3-year prospective double cross-over trial are: 1) To examine the effectiveness of an alternative keyboard in reducing reports of pain over 6-months; 2) To examine the neutrality and stability of postures during keyboard use; and 3) To identify which postures are associated with lower levels of musculoskeletal pain. Seventy-five computer users will be randomly assigned to one of two keyboard use orders: Group 1 - AB (standard keyboard, alternative keyboard); Group 2 - BA (alternative keyboard, standard keyboard). All subjects will use their assigned keyboards for 6-months before switching to the next keyboard. Every week, subjects will report their musculoskeletal pain levels. Just prior to and just after each 6-month intervention subjects' kinematics performances on the keyboards will be recorded at the worksite using the Keyboard - Personal Computing Style (K-PeCS) instrument and in a laboratory setting using 3-dimensional motion capture technology. Aim 1: To examine the effectiveness of an alternative keyboard in reducing pain over 6-months. Hypothesis 1 (H-1) - At six months subjects using an alternative keyboard will have significantly lower musculoskeletal pain levels than when using a standard keyboard. Aim 2: To examine the neutrality and stability of postures during keyboard use. Hypothesis 3 (H-2) - Subjects using an alternative keyboard will have significantly more neutral postures than when using a standard keyboard at baseline and at 6 months Hypothesis 3 (H-3) - Subjects 6-months keyboarding postures will remain equivalent to the keyboarding postures documented at baseline.

Conditions

Pain

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Musculoskeletal Discomfort

  Discomfort Survey (WDS) was used to assess symptoms and activity limitations. Participants reported on their work schedule, medication used for pain control, and discomfort in their neck/shoulder, back, and bilateral lower arms (elbows, forearms, wrists, and hands) using an 11-point numerical rating scale (0 = no discomfort/no limitations; 10 = unbearable discomfort/major limitations). We had to dichotomize the data during analysis due to severe skew towards not discomfort (0). Thus the final outcome was discomfort -yes or no

  6 months and 12 months

Study Arms (2)

A

EXPERIMENTAL

Subject receives typical keyboard first for 6 months and alternative keyboard second for 6 months

Device: Alternative Keyboard

B

EXPERIMENTAL

Subject receives alternative keyboard first for 6 months and typical keyboard second for 6 months

Device: Alternative Keyboard

Interventions

Alternative Keyboard DEVICE

Subjects use either a typical or alternative keyboard

Also known as: Microsoft Natural Ergonomic

A; B

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 65 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Use a computer at least 20 hrs per week
• Aged 18-65
• Experiencing some pain during computer use

You may not qualify if:

• Currently use an alternative keyboard
• Serious trauma injury to the upper extremity
• Rheumatic disorder

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Pittsburgh: lead
• National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH/CDC): collaborator

Study Sites (1)

University of Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15260, United States

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Pain

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Neurologic Manifestations; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Results Point of Contact

• Title: Dr. Nancy Baker
• Organization: University of Pittsburgh

nab36@pitt.edu

412 383-6607

Publication Agreements

• PI is Sponsor Employee: No
• Restrictive Agreement: No

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: PREVENTION
• Intervention Model: CROSSOVER
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Associate Professor

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: December 3, 2008
• First Posted: December 4, 2008
• Study Start: January 1, 2009
• Primary Completion: April 1, 2011
• Study Completion: August 1, 2013
• Last Updated: August 22, 2014
• Results First Posted: August 22, 2014

Record last verified: 2014-08

Locations

US (1)