How Effective are Ergonomic Keyboards?

Jodrell writes: "This article on the BBC's website has a brief review of the current state of keyboard technology, but also questions the validity of claims that ergonomic keyboards can help prevent RSI, CTS and other "upper limb disorders." The article suggests that maybe it's working habits that cause these problems, and not the design of computer interfaces. What are Slashdot readers' experiences?"

Comments

Re:All about positioning

[kwelch007]

Isn't carpul tunel basically caused by repetitive motion. How is using a bent (I like to call them "broken" :) keyboard avoiding repetitive motion? It's it still just as repetitive, just in a slightly augmented position?

Relative Safety

[redgekko]

They way I see it, everything will kill, cripple, or make you stupid eventually. I can only hope that my Dell ergo keyboard is relatively safer since it's a hundred times more comfortable to use, and hasn't caused me any severe pain in about five years of constant coding, whereas a flat keyboard will put me in agony in just a few hours.

The bottom line is that as long as we have to twiddle our fingers for data entry, RSIs continue will be a problem. It's just a question of improving posture to minimize injury.

MS Kurvy Keyboard

[Anonymous Coward]

I have a MS Kurvy Keyboard (AKA "natural") and I can say that it does make a difference. After years of "normal" keyboard use, my wrists were getting quite sore. I finally bought a MS keyboard. I can type all day with it. If I use a "normal" keyboard, my hands are aching after 15 minutes. I would be lost without it.

It's actually a serious problem for musicians.

[Nindalf]

...but only for musicians who play their instruments 6+ hours every day.

How many of those are there? Compare to the number of people who use keyboards for 6+ hours per day.

The problem for musicians is old and well-recognized, so exercises and techniques to avoid RSI are part of the formal education of almost every serious music student.

So it's a relatively small pool of people, many of whom are carefully taught to avoid the problem. Of course you're not going to hear about it much.

Re:A few are good, most aren't....

[eison]

Another vote for the Kinesis Classic. About 6 months ago my hand pain became unbearable. I visited a doctor, got drugs and (temporary use only) wrist splints, and was finally inspired to learn to use the Kinesis keyboard my co-workers were typing on. Spent two weeks of feeling like an idiot getting my typing speed back, and am thrilled that I did so - I still experience occasional pain, but it's nothing like I used to.

I doubt this sort of thing is necessary for the average user - I tended to work 8-12 hour days 6-7 days a week, then go home and play video games. It's not a particularly smart lifestyle, but if it's what you're doing, a Kinesis can make it a good bit less painful.

As I said above...

[DaveWood]

You're not a counter-example to anything. All I'm saying is this:

Never use an ergonomic keyboard as a substitute for a doctor.

The false sense of security a gadget and a little marketing material can provide, with the added bonus of the placebo effect, injures a lot of people. I mean A LOT of people.

Now, please, pay attention.

If you suspect you're developing an RSI, don't wait, GET A DOCTOR. DON'T DO ANYTHING TO DIAGNOSE, OR TREAT, YOUR CONDITION THAT SHE DOESN'T TELL YOU TO DO.

As I've also pointed out, often times the substance of what they tell you is simple workplace ergonomics. But people get injured trying to treat themselves, and in a 1st world country there's no reason for that.