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The intent of these "ergonomically designed"
(alternative ) keyboards are to promote neutral wrist postures. The alternative keyboards
use different designs to attempt to change the users’ posture. Many different type of
keyboards have become available on the market to choose from. Below are some of the common
alternative keyboard designs.
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Fixed split
keyboards
are the most popular among all the alternative keyboards. They are designed
to straighten the wrist by increasing the distance between the right and left sides of the
keyboard so that each half is aligned with the forearm.
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Tented
keyboards/adjustable split keyboards
are designed so that the angles of two keyboard
halves can be horizontally and vertically adjusted in order to straighten the wrists and
reduce the forearms’ rotation.
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Sculpted keyboards separate the left
and right hand at a fixed distance and avoid bending of the wrists. The keys are arranged
in dish-out depressions. This key design has attempted to "fit" the different
lengths of the fingers by placing the keys in concave wells. This is believed to allow the
fingers to work in a more relaxed posture. |
Alternative keyboards have been shown to promote neutral
wrist posture. However, available research does not provide conclusive evidence that
alternative keyboards reduce the risk of discomfort, fatigue, and injury. Also, NIOSH
cautions that a computer keyboard is only one element of the workplace that can influence
comfort and health. Therefore, all features of the work environment, not just the
keyboard, should be examined when evaluating ways to enhance user comfort and avoid
potential musculoskeletal problems.
If alternative keyboards are to be used in the workplace,
the following suggestions may be helpful in making purchasing decisions:
- Determine if the keyboard is compatible with existing
hardware and software, and whether it can accommodate other input devices such as the
mouse and trackballs.
- Assess how the keyboard will fit with the workstation. Some
alternative keyboards, particularly those with a tented design, must be placed on surfaces
that are lower than those required for standard keyboards to achieve proper working
posture.
- Choose the appropriate keyboard for the users or tasks. It
may take a few days for a user to become accustomed to an alternative keyboard, and
frustration may occur if productivity is affected during this learning phase. Allow the
users to try different kinds before deciding which to buy, and allow them to retain a
conventional keyboard if they wish. Let the user try out the keyboards for at least one to
two weeks, since studies show that amount of time is necessary to adapt to them.
- Integrate a new alternative keyboard carefully into the work
process, ensuring that users are trained in correct use.
Keyboarding
Tips,
Continued>>>
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