Wrist rest
Today, Wrist rest is a topic of great relevance and interest to a wide range of people. Whether due to its impact on society, its historical importance, or its relevance in the current environment, Wrist rest is a topic that never ceases to fascinate and intrigue those who delve into it. In this article, we will take a deeper look at Wrist rest, exploring its different facets and offering a unique perspective on this broad and diverse topic. Through detailed analysis and critical scrutiny, we hope to shed light on Wrist rest and provide our readers with a more complete understanding of this topic that impacts us so much.
A wrist rest (a.k.a. palm rest, wrist support, or palm support) is a device used to support the wrists while using a computer keyboard or mouse. Wrist rests have common usage in the workplace.
Design
Wrist rests can be made from memory foam, gel, leather, or hardwood, the most common being memory foam rests. Memory foam rests retain impressions for longer, while gel rests quickly return to their original shape. Gel rests provide more cooling. Some computer keyboards come with a wrist rest included.
Beyond the typical wrist rest designs, some companies have created variations that add extra functionality or aesthetics. For example, a laptop with a foldable wrist rest, a game pad with a stylized Pokémon wrist rest, or a wrist rest that also functions as a mouse.
Ergonomic use
There are mixed opinions on whether wrist rests for computer keyboards are a benefit to ergonomics.
The main benefit of using a wrist rest is increased comfort, especially for those using keyboards over long periods. Usage of a wrist rest can alleviate tension can take away pressure from the neck, shoulders and arms. Using a keyboard without a wrist rest may increase the bending angle of the wrists, causing strain and tendon irritation.
Prolonged contact between the wrists and the rest may cause carpal tunnel syndrome or tenosynovitis. Resting the wrists on a rest while typing may prevent motion of the wrist, causing issues.
To mitigate potential problems, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recommends the hands to be elevated above the rest while typing. While not typing, the rest should contact the hand's palm/heel, not the wrist. As well, they recommend for the wrist rest's slope and height to match the front of the keyboard, and for the rest to be soft, with a depth of at least 3.8 centimetres (1.5 in).
Scientific research
A 2004 study published in Elsevier described the literature on the efficacy of wrist rests as "limited, inconclusive, and contradictory". Some studies have concluded that wrist rests reduce strain while others have concluded rests cause more strain. A 2018 study looked at a sample size of 25 during prolonged typing. They found wrist rests to reduce fatigue in the biceps brachii muscle but have no effect on the upper trapezius muscle.
See also
References
- ^ a b c d e f g "Wrist/Palm Supports". Occupational Safety and Health Administration. United States Department of Labor.
- ^ a b c d "Office Ergonomics - Wrist Rests". Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety. Government of Canada. 2020-11-23. Retrieved 2024-03-15.
- ^ a b c Cook, Catherine; Burgess-Limerick, Robin; Papalia, Shona (May 2004). "The effect of wrist rests and forearm support during keyboard and mouse use". International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics. 33 (5): 463–472. doi:10.1016/j.ergon.2003.12.002. ISSN 0169-8141.
- ^ a b c d Galang, Anton. Wagener, Yoona (ed.). "The Best Keyboard Wrist Rests of 2024". Lifewire. Retrieved 2024-03-15.
- ^ Bacchus, Arif (2023-01-25). "The best keyboard wrist rest in 2023". Digital Trends. Retrieved 2024-03-15.
- ^ "This Experimental Laptop Design Has a Foldable Wrist Rest". Yahoo News. 2023-04-21. Retrieved 2024-03-15.
- ^ Jacob Ridley (2023-07-05). "A custom-made fighting game pad but it's two ditto". PC Gamer. Retrieved 2024-03-15.
- ^ "My new favorite wrist rest is a mouse — or is it the other way around?". Yahoo News. 2024-03-03. Retrieved 2024-03-15.
- ^ a b Callegari, Bianca; de Resende, Marília Maniglia; da Silva Filho, Manoel (January 2018). "Hand rest and wrist support are effective in preventing fatigue during prolonged typing". Journal of Hand Therapy. 31 (1): 42–51. doi:10.1016/j.jht.2016.11.008.