55th Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting, HFES 2011, pp.949 - 953
Abstract
In this laboratory experiment, potential ergonomic concerns associated with the use of a touchscreen desktop PC have been investigated by quantifying neck and shoulder muscle activities, subjective discomfort ratings, and user-preferred positions of the computer workstation in three different usage scenarios of touchscreen PC (no touch interface; standard keyboard for typing with display tapping; on-screen keyboard with display tapping). Results found significantly greater (p < 0.05) activity of neck and shoulder muscles and increments in subjective discomfort ratings associated with the use of touch interfaces such as the on-screen keyboard and display tapping. In addition, participants placed the touchscreen closer and lower with more tilt when using the touch interfaces. It was concluded that the use of a touchscreen in desktop PC setting could generate greater biomechanical stress and discomfort than a traditional setting, and it might be attributable to greater or more frequent arm and hand movement in floating arm postures.
Publisher
55th Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting, HFES 2011