Do I need an “ergonomic” mouse and keyboard to have an ergonomic work environment? [closed]

Question

Is it necessary to use equipment marketed as "ergonomic" in order to avoid health problems, or can I just use good posture? What is the learning curve for ergonomic equipment?

If possible, include evidence to support your answers. A study or tests about ergonomics would be good.

Answer 1

First, remember that not everything that's labeled "ergonomic" is actually good for you. Some "ergonomic" products aren't an improvement on the basic models at all, just trying to get your money; some are good for some people/situations but not others. There's no single "ergonomic equipment" category with a single learning curve, and any study results that apply to some type of mice and keyboards won't apply to others.

The most important thing is paying attention to your body's signals. Especially any pain or aches, but smaller signals are important too - do you feel like you're twisting your hand in a weird way to reach a key? Do you feel like you're having to press the keys pretty hard? (The last one's definitely a good reason to get a lower-pressure keyboard - I don't think there can be any downside to those). Anything you notice, it's probably a good idea to fix. If everything seems fine, perhaps you won't have issues with the standard equipment, and you might be worse off with a keyboard shape you find uncomfortable.

If you do want to try something ergonomic, make sure to do some reading and research before buying - see which ergonomic ideas make sense to you, try things out if you can, and so on.

If you're not sure what you want, it can be a good idea to get a keyboard with a lot of adjustment options (tilt, split angle, tenting) - I have this one, and I really like the fact that I can change all the angles until I get something that actually fits me, rather than being stuck with a fixed shape.

Answer 2

I find that, for keyboards and pretty much any office equipment, it's subjective, you have to try it and see if it suits you.

As for good posture, it is always a good idea: you might want to ask for a good chair, specially if/since you're going to spend most of your time sitting there.

This is old, but I like it: my wrists and welcome to them, by jwz, namely (I don't know if those would hold up legally, but trying to discuss those issues won't hurt):

If you work for an employer with a decent HR department, they'll buy this stuff for you if you complain about pain. Why? Because if something really goes wrong with your body, they don't want to hear the words "worker's compensation" or "work-related injury" or "law suit," so they will do what they can to help you avoid these things.

Answer 3

As a student, I used an economic keyboard for a couple of years, since then I use a standard keyboard (in a job with heavy writing requirements). I didn't have problems with either. With regard to the mouse, I use a trackball which generally eases the strain on the wrist and arm. A couple of times I had a slight stress injury in the thumb for my troubles, so it is not the ultimate answer (probably better to switch tools from time to time).

That much about my excperiences with as egonomic branded tools. Generally I would say that ergonomic is that which is comfortable for you to use. The question how much you need exactly fitting tools depends on how heavy you use the tools - if your at the desk for only 1 in 10 hours, you probably can use anything the company throws at you, if you are nailed to it 60 hours a week, you should get the best tools for your own sake.