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The position of a standard optical computer mouse affects cardiorespiratory responses during the operation of a computer under time constraints

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Sako S., Sugiura H., Tanoue H., Kojima M., Kono M., Inaba R.

International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health

2014

vol. 27

issue 4

547-559

Objectives: This study investigated the association between task-induced stress and fatigue by examining the cardiovascular responses of subjects using different mouse positions while operating a computer under time constraints. Material and Methods: The study was participated by 16 young, healthy men and examined the use of optical mouse devices affixed to laptop computers. Two mouse positions were investigated: (1) the distal position (DP), in which the subjects place their forearms on the desk accompanied by the abduction and flexion of their shoulder joints, and (2) the proximal position (PP), in which the subjects place only their wrists on the desk without using an armrest. The subjects continued each task for 16 min. We assessed differences in several characteristics according to mouse position, including expired gas values, autonomic nerve activities (based on cardiorespiratory responses), operating efficiencies (based on word counts), and fatigue levels (based on the visual analog scale – VAS). Results: Oxygen consumption (VO₂), the ratio of inspiration time to respiration time (Tᵢ/Tₜₒₜₐₗ), respiratory rate (RR), minute ventilation (VE), and the ratio of expiration to inspiration (Te/Tᵢ) were significantly lower when the participants were performing the task in the DP than those obtained in the PP. Tidal volume (VT), carbon dioxide output rates (VCO₂/VE), and oxygen extraction fractions (VO₂/VE) were significantly higher for the DP than they were for the PP. No significant difference in VAS was observed between the positions; however, as the task progressed, autonomic nerve activities were lower and operating efficiencies were significantly higher for the DP than they were for the PP. Conclusions: Our results suggest that the DP has fewer effects on cardiorespiratory functions, causes lower levels of sympathetic nerve activity and mental stress, and produces a higher total workload than the PP. This suggests that the DP is preferable to the PP when operating a computer.

A cross-sectional study of the upper limb non-neurogenic physical findings in computer operators and their relation to pain and neurological findings

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Jepsen K. R., Thomsen G. F., Jepsen J. R.

International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health

2021

vol. 34

issue 5

679-691

ObjectivesThe character of upper limb disorders in computer operators is subject to debate. While nerve involvement is suggested by the presenceof pain, paresthesia and subjective weakness, these symptoms are mainly interpreted as related to pathologies outside the nervous system. Findings in a previous study involving computer operators indicated peripheral nerve afflictions with specific locations in symptomatic subjects. Based on the same sample, this study addresses the relation of non-neurogenic findings to pain and neurological findings.Material and MethodsOverall, 96 computer operators scored their perceived pain in the neck, shoulder, elbow, and wrist/hand on a Visual Analogue Scale of 0–9. They underwent 2 sets of blinded physical examinations of selected non-neurogenic and neurological items, respectively. The authors analyzed correlations between the scores of each non-neuropathic finding, and a) mean pain scores for each and all regions, and b) scores for neurological patterns reflecting brachial plexopathy, median neuropathy (the elbow), and posterior interosseous neuropathy, respectively, and their combination. Kendall’s rank correlation test was applied for all statistical analyses.ResultsA median pain level of 1 or 0.5 was reported by 80 and 57 participants on the mouse-operating or contralateral side, respectively. Non-neurogenic and neurological findings were frequent. The mean overall pain correlated with palpation soreness of the neck insertions, and of the trapezius and supraspinatus muscles. Neck and elbow pain correlated with palpation soreness at the neck insertions and the lateral epicondyles, respectively. Significant correlations on the mouse-operating side were identified between posterior interosseous neuropathy and lateral epicondyle soreness, and between median neuropathy and any neurological pattern, and trapezius and lateral epicondyle soreness. Conclusions Pain correlated with palpation soreness, which again correlated with the neurological patterns. Palpation soreness may be less significant as a marker of a painful disorder as it correlated no better with regional than with overall pain. The physical examination of computer operators should include a sufficient neurological assessment.

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2 International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health

1 Inaba R.

1 Jepsen J. R.

1 Jepsen K. R.

1 Kojima M.

1 Kono M.

1 Sako S.

1 Sugiura H.

1 Tanoue H.

1 Thomsen G. F.

1 2021

1 2014

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The position of a standard optical computer mouse affects cardiorespiratory responses during the operation of a computer under time constraints

A cross-sectional study of the upper limb non-neurogenic physical findings in computer operators and their relation to pain and neurological findings