Assessment of functional parameters and comfort of a new computer mouse as compared with other types of input devices

Abstract

Background. This study was conducted to assess functional parameters and comfort of a new computer mouse (Ergomice) as compared with three other input devices. Materials and methods. Functional parameters (i.e., task completion time and error rate) of each device were assessed by 10 participants using standardized software based on Standard No. ISO 9241-9:2000. Comfort evaluation was also undertaken for each device using the visual analogue scale technique. Statistical analysis including the Wilcoxon signed-rank test and the Friedman test was performed using SPSS version 16. Results. The functional parameters of the standard mouse were better than those of the other devices. However, no significant difference was observed between this mouse and Ergomice. Overall comfort evaluation showed that the standard mouse and Ergomice were more comfortable to work with. The comfort level of hand/wrist posture in the Ergomice was higher than that of the other three devices. Conclusion. The design features of Ergomice could improve its functional properties. Hand/wrist posture comfort of Ergomice was judged to be high compared with that of the other devices.

Keywords:

• computer input devices
• mouse evaluation
• upper limb disorders
• ISO 9241-9:2000

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This article was extracted from the thesis written by Naser Dehghan, MSc student of Ergonomics, and was financially supported by Shiraz University of Medical Sciences [grant number 3128-42-01-90].