Effects of the use of a special computer mouse : The HandShoe Mouse

Abstract

With a conventional mouse a combination of thumb, ring- and little finger is required to realize optimal control in the horizontal (X-Y) plane. By providing a supporting contour for hand palm and fingers, it was noted that gripping and pinching of thumb and fingers (m. extensor carpi radialis longus and brevis) to control the mouse in the X-Y plane was no longer necessary. The supporting contour enables a near to fully relaxed flexor and extensor muscle position which is reflected by a significant reduction of the EMG signal. This contrary to the hovering finger position required with a conventional mouse where the hand is fully pronated. This contour arch stabilizes the freely moving finger guaranteeing the joint’s (PIP) movements in static and dynamic situation. Fingers (tips, close to the desktop) rest on the switches which follow the contour of the mouse. To switch only a light flexing action of the fingers is required whereby the majority of the switch action is at the finger tips.