Effects of a Multitouch Keyboard on Wrist Posture, Typing Performance and Comfort

Abstract

This study compares the use of a conventional keyboard (CK) and a prototype ultra-low profile MultiTouch keyless keyboard (MTK) that only requires contact force to register a keystroke and allows mousing and gestural input on the same surface. Twelve subjects completed eight randomly assigned 7.5- minute typing tasks of text passages of similar difficulty and identical length for each keyboard condition. Typing speed, accuracy, wrist postures and user comfort were measured. Subjects, typed slower (F1,11= 41.86, p=0.000) and less accurately (F1,11= 23.55, p=0.001) on the MTK during the typing tasks. Mean wrist extension was lower for the MTK (F1,11= 10.205, p=0.000) while radial and ulnar deviation did not differ significantly between the two keyboards. Subjects preferred the CK and reported a higher level of ease (F1,11= 49.732, p=0.00) and enjoyment (F1,11= 51.129, p=0.00) during its use. In terms of comfort, subjects reported a higher level of ease and enjoyment in the CK condition. Familiarity and fatigue effects affected the results.