DataHand
Studies—
Brief
Summary
DataHand
Features, Benefits, and Work Results—
Including a Brief
Review of All Related Studies
The
DataHand ergonomic keyboard:
•
Reduces the range of finger motion. The finger tips move about 1/2"
compared to the conventional keyboards where the whole hand must move many
inches. Wrist, arm, shoulder and neck muscles become involved when working
on a flat keyboard; on the DataHand keyboard, only the fingers move.
•
Reduces key activation forces. The fingers of DataHand operators use 20 grams
of force compared to 55 to 100 grams required on the flat keyboard. Research
has shown forces below 48 grams reduce risks of musculoskeletal injury. Flat
keyboard “bangers” often use forces 4 to 7 times higher than
necessary.
•
Provides optimal position and support for hands, wrists, and arms. The DataHand
design ensures correct pronation and relaxation of the hands, wrists, and
arms.
Supporting
ergonomic research:
•
Knight at Arizona State University, Koeneman at the Harrington Arthritis Research
Center, and Ferrell at the University of Arizona determined the DataHand design
reduces typing forces on the joint to approximately 20% of those experienced
by workers on the traditional flat keyboard. DataHand operators use finger
intrinsic muscles and significantly reduce extensor muscle and tendon use
through the carpal tunnel.
•
The Harrington Arthritis Research Center at St. Lukes Medical Center in Phoenix
interviewed early users of the early DataHand DH200 model, finding an initial
25% discomfort reduction and an additional 50% (total 75%), on average, after
less than 4 months.
•
Rempel, Serina, Klinenberg, Martin, Armstrong,
Foulke & Natarajan at the University of California and the University
of Michigan concluded that keying finger forces of 48 grams or less should
be preferred to minimize biomechanical loads. DataHand finger force specifications
are 18 to 24 grams. The DataHand force curve is the inverse of the force curve
on the conventional keyboard. The fingers feel an initial breakaway,
not increasing force against resistance as the keys are activated.
•
USPS Ergonomist, Dr. Soraya Noland, studied
DataHand ten-key operators at the Phoenix Rio Salado USPS facility, finding
the DataHand device more user friendly and more productive than a conventional
ten-key device.
•
University of Arizona 1997 Customer Satisfaction
Survey of DataHand users found 96.8 percent user satisfaction with strong
testimonials giving credit for relief of pain, restoration of working comfort,
and saving of careers. Eighty-four percent of users were either extremely
or very satisfied, and only one user was dissatisfied.
•
About 70 DataHand operators at several
industrial test sites have equaled or exceeded conventional keyboard speeds
within 30 days. Both actual experience and learning curve data show significant
double digit productivity gain and learning acceleration.
•
Return on Investment calculations using
Internal Rate of Return (IRR) based on corporate data from several locations
show payoff of equipment and learning costs within a year. The productivity
gain results from less movement and more comfort, without slow-down caused
by fatigue as the day progresses.
These
Internal Rate of Return calculations do not include workers’ compensation
savings, which are found to be roughly $100,000 per year for a typical
customer site of 300 employees. Productivity based IRR of 100% equals pay-off
of the investment within one year.
Fernandez/Stanford
University Analysis of USPS productivity data shows a ten percent fatigue-related
performance advantage between DataHand operators and flat ten-key operators
by the end of a typical work day. In comparison with DataHand operators,
traditional ten-key operators maintain speed for the first two or three
hours, then start to slow down. This slow-down is attributed to fatigue.
Innovative
design makes a clear difference in improving worker comfort, musculoskeletal
protection, and productivity. Ergomotion™ is a new word created to describe
the beneficially supported minimum movement DataHand operators use to perform
keyboard work safely, comfortably, and productively. Ergomotion is the future
of keyboard data entry.
(Click
here to download a sharable version of this summary in pdf format.)
DataHand
Ergonomic Keyboards: Feel the Difference.
©2000 DataHand® Systems,
Inc.
3032 North
33rd Avenue
Phoenix, Arizona
85017-5247
(602) 233-6000;
(800) 875-7171; FAX: (602) 233-3434
E-Mail