December 7, 2007 – Carpal tunnel syndrome is often related to prolonged use of the computer keyboard. However, according to a new study, not only would the keyboard not be guilty, but it would even offer protection against this syndrome which affects the median nerve of the hand.
According to the results1.2, among those who used the computer for more than four hours a day, 2.6% had carpal tunnel syndrome, compared to 2.9% for those who spent one to four hours. This proportion was 4.9% among those who used only one hour or less, and it rose to 5.2% among those who did not use the computer at all.
The carpal tunnel |
According to one of the study’s authors, Dr Isam Atroshi, typing on a keyboard would decrease the risk of swelling and therefore pressure on the median nerve of the hand. While it is true, however, that the appearance of this syndrome can be related to work, computer use is not among the risk factors, he says. Rather, the most risky activities would be those that require repeated twisting of the wrist and a certain amount of hand strength.
However, improper positioning of the hand and wrist on the keyboard, for example if the wrist is in extreme flexion or extension, can increase the risk of suffering from carpal tunnel, emphasizes Dr.r Atroshi.
What about the mouse? “We do not currently have any evidence that would confirm that the mouse is one of the risk factors, but it must be said that few studies have looked at its use,” he explains.
Claudia Morissette – HealthPassport.net
1. Atroshi I, et al, Carpal tunnel Syndrome and Keyboard Use at Work. Arthritis & Rheumatism, November 2007, Vol. 56, No 11, p. 3620-3625.
2. Dr Atroshi and his team sent a questionnaire to 2,465 people, aged 25 to 65. Eighty-two percent of people responded to the questionnaire and 80% of people with hand pain had a medical examination. The participants were divided into four groups according to the number of hours spent in front of the computer daily.