An Analysis on the Effects of Different Types of Keyboards on Users’ Productivity and Hand Muscle Strain

Abstract

Musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) complaints are increasing as people are forced to do their daily tasks at home using computers, as evident with the limitations brought by the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of this study was to provide a comparative analysis on the efficacy of different types of keyboards in terms of typing speed, accuracy, and prevention of wrist/hand fatigue among keyboard operators to assist them in increasing work productivity and minimizing the risk of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) or other hand injuries. To assess the pain level, typing speed, and accuracy, the participants were subjected to a 5-minute keyboard typing activity to test 4 different keyboards: standard, mechanical, foldable, and laptop. Through the Kruskal-Wallis H-Test, it has been found that mechanical keyboards are the optimal choice for all students and typing-related workers to increase their typing speed and accuracy and alleviate wrist/hand-related pain. Other than using a mechanical keyboard in the virtual workplace, it is also recommended that the users’ hands move freely and be elevated above the wrist rest while typing to enhance the wrist's mobility.

Keywords: Ergonomics, Keyboard design, Productivity, Hand muscle strain

DOI: 10.54941/ahfe1001980