Interviews and Observation to Investigate Health Effects from Using Non-Keyboard Input Devices (NKID)

Abstract

In-depth interviews and observations have been undertaken with intensive and non-intensive non-keyboard input device (NKID) users. Fifty individuals at ten organisations were interviewed to gain insight into how users arrange their workstations and use NKID in connection with different tasks. Observational data have also been collected on posture and workstation set-up, with video recordings at all sites. Initial results are presented here based on the first twenty-five interviews. A wide range of NKID was seen at the organisations visited including the mouse, touchscreen, joystick, trackball, and tablet and pen. Users reported a range of problems associated with the use of some devices: maintenance issues, device responsiveness and size of devices were some of those mentioned. Musculoskeletal pain and discomfort was also reported, particularly in mouse users n=9 (36%) with reports of weakness, stiffness and discomfort in the hands and wrist. An important observation was the variety of configurations of workstation furniture and equipment, which in some cases, constrained the position of the input device in relation to the user. This may result in the users having to work with the input device at some distance away from their body.