Alternative Input Spells Relief

Rob Dieterich

Users are flocking to ergonomic keyboards and other input devices, despite the lack of research proving that these devices prevent or cure repetitive strain injuries (RSIs). User feedback indicates that ergonomic keyboards, mice, and furniture provide relief from crippling hand, wrist, and arm disorders. However, keyboard research "is in its infancy," says Dr. Barbara Silverstein, who led OSHA's failed effort to draft a standard to help prevent workplace RSIs.

"If anyone thinks they are making a definitive statement about the value of the alternative keyboard in treating someone or in preventing disorders, that's stretching the current data," says Dr. David Rempel of the University of California, San F rancisco. "Ergonomic keyboards reduce some of the known RSI risk factors," he concludes, but that is "as far as we can go."

While researchers debate the effectiveness of alternative keyboards and other devices, others argue that evidence hasn't even proved that standard keyboards cause RSIs. Attorneys defending IBM argued successfully in four trials last year that scientific evidence does not prove that standard keyboard designs cause RSIs, striking at the heart of the claims filed on behalf of thousands of injured workers.

Understanding keyboards is a complex research task. "That is because the problem is multifactoral," says Cathy Mishek O'Brien, president and CEO of Workplace Designs (Stillwater, MN), which sells the Floating Arms Keyboard. "It's hard to account for the many variables in workplace conditions, environment, and posture. Another variable is workplace stress."

Buyers, meanwhile, are not waiting for a conclusive study. In just over a year, Microsoft (Redmond, WA, (206) 882-8080) sold nearly 1 million Natural Keyboards . Smaller companies also are seeing gains. Company officials at Marquardt Switches (Cazenovia, NY, (800) 282-3746 or (315) 655-8050; miniergo@marqswitch.com), which sells the MiniErgo keyboard, and DataHand Systems (Scottsdale, AZ, (602) 860-8584), vendor of the DataHand keyboard, say that business is brisk and is getting better every day.

Despite the lack of long-term research, anecdotal evidence from users indicates that ergonomic input devices can provide relief. Some editors at BYTE have suffered from injuries such as chronic tendinitis. They have seen improvement when switching from standard keyboards to alternative devices ( see the photo ). But the switch in keyboard was not the only change: The editors also used better posture, took more breaks, performed stretching exercises, and, in some cases, took anti-inflammatory medicine. All of these changes make it difficult to attribute the improvement to the alternative keyboards alone .

Other users say they have found similar improvement, although some declined to be named. "I make my living at the computer," said one user. "I don't really want prospective employers to remember me as a cheerleader for the RSI-impaired."

In a survey of registered users of the Natural Keyboard, 83 percent said the expectation of improved comfort was the top reason for purchase, says Keith Kegley of Microsoft's hardware accessories group. Microsoft also gathered data on user expectations concerning injury prevention, but company lawyers are discussing how to present it, Kegley says. Microsoft avoids making medical claims for its product. It even pastes a warning on the Natural Keyboard about the risk of developing RSIs.

With many keyboard-related RSI lawsuits pending, the makers of alternative devices are wary when they describe their products' benefits. All the vendors tout improved comfort. Some of them advertise reduced pain, using case studies of injured workers. None say their produc ts will guarantee risk-free computer work. "We don't look at ourselves as a mouse vendor, we are an RSI problem solver," says Steve Wang, president of Contour Design (Lowell, MA), developer and vendor of the Contour Mouse . "However, we also say, `If you feel pain and discomfort using this mouse, stop using it immediately."'

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Now You Can Say "Make It So!"

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The Floating Arms Keyboard, from Workplace Designs ((612) 439-4474), addresses postural problems associated with the traditional desk, keyboard, and chair. A BYTE editor found that switching to this keyboard greatly reduced work-related pain.

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Naturally It's From Microsoft

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Users report that Microsoft's Natural Keyboard, which has separate keys (for each hand) that are angled inward toward the back of the keyboard, puts wrists in a better position and can help reduce the risk of RSIs.

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A Contour for You

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The Contour Mouse (Contour Design, (800) 977-1000; fax (508) 937-2722; contour@usa.net) comes in three different sizes. One user, a CAD drafter, says the pain he felt in the top of his hand when using a traditional mouse disappeared when he switched to the Contour Mouse.