The effect of Video Display Terminal (VDT) mouse use on muscle contractions in the neck and forearm

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Nancy A. Baker, | Karen Jacobs, | Catherine Trombly,

Affiliations: Boston University, Sargent College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Boston, MA, USA

Note: [] 42 Wiley Rd., Belmont, MA 02478, USA. Tel.: +1 617 489 6053; E-mail: nabaker@bu.edu

Abstract: This study used surface electromyography (EMG) to examine the percent of maximum voluntary contraction (%M flexors of the wrist/fingers and extensors of the wrist/fingers during Video Display Terminal (VDT) mouse use with the mouse positioned either next to the computer or on a lapdesk. Thirty participants, between the ages of 18 and 40, used a VDT mouse to follow a prescribed pattern for three trials at each location. Although there was a trend towards the lapdesk location producing lower %M flexors (lapdesk: trapezius M 4.71%, trapezius M 5.74%, for sequence and order found no significant difference between the means. There was no trend for the effects of location for the wrist/finger extensors. These results suggest that changing the position of the mouse may not significantly reduce muscle contractions.

Keywords: electromyography, computer peripherals, cumulative trauma disorder, posture

Journal: Work, vol. 12, no. 2, pp. 109-116, 1999