Affiliations: Bioengineering Unit, University of Strathclyde
Glasgow, UK
Note: [] Address for correspondence: Ukadike Chris Ugbolue,
Bioengineering Unit, University of Strathclyde, Wolfson Building, 106
Rottenrow, Glasgow G4 0NW, UK. Tel.: +44 (0)141 548 2855; Fax: +44 (0)141 552
6098; E-mail: [email protected]
Abstract: Objective: To compare two postural interventions, a wrist splint and
a Wrist Alignment Device (WAD) with a biofeedback mechanism. Participants: Nine right-handed healthy individuals participated in the study. Methods: Using both hands independently a 30-minute
office-activity-experiment was performed that consisted of data entry, mouse
clicking, text dragging, and mouse scrolling executed one after the other.
Joint motion, tendon travel and productivity levels were measured. Participants
wore a custom-made flexible electrogoniometric glove (FEG) as three scenarios
were tested; namely FEG – only, FEG – Splint, and FEG – WAD. Data analysis
was performed using descriptive statistics and ANOVA. Results: The joint motion results produced insignificant differences (p> 0.05) between hands.
Both hands showed larger overall tendon travel for the FEG – only when
compared with either FEG – Splint or FEG – WAD experiments. Wearing the
splint reduced the overall tendon travel by 24% and 10% for the left and
right hands while using the WAD further reduced the overall tendon travel for
the left and right hands by 51% and 42%. Productivity levels were similar
across participants with respect to experiment task and type. Conclusion: The WAD intervention is the most suitable device to promote a comfortable and
non-restrictive neutral wrist posture.
Keywords: Work related wrist/hand function, flexible electrogoniometric glove, word processing, biomechanics
