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Biomedical subjects

J F Monroe

Publications and source records attributed to J F Monroe.

7 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1999

Wrist and forearm postures of users of conventional computer keyboards.

The aim of this study was to perform a comprehensive investigation to document wrist and forearm postures of users of conventional computer keyboards. We instrumented 90 healthy, experienced clerical workers with electromechanical goniometers to measure wrist and forearm position and range of motion for both upper extremities while typing. For an alphabetic typing task, the left wrist showed significantly greater (p < .01) mean ulnar deviation (15.0 degrees +/- 7.7 degrees) and extension (21.2 degrees +/- 8.8 degrees) than the right wrist (10.1 degrees +/- 7.2 degrees and 17.0 degrees +/- 7.4 degrees for ulnar deviation and extension, respectively). Conversely, the right forearm had greater mean pronation (65.6 degrees +/- 8.3 degrees) than the left forearm (62.2 degrees +/- 10.6 degrees). We noted minimal functional differences in the postures of the wrists and forearms between alphabetic and alphanumeric typing tasks. Ergonomists should consider the statistically significant and probable practical difference in wrist and forearm posture between the left and right hand in ergonomic interventions in the office and in the design of computer keyboards. Actual or potential applications of this research include guiding the design of new computer keyboards.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Wrist and forearm posture from typing on split and vertically inclined computer keyboards.

A study was conducted on 90 experienced office workers to determine how commercially available alternative computer keyboards affected wrist and forearm posture. The alternative keyboards tested had the QWERTY layout of keys and were of three designs: split fixed angle, split adjustable angle, and vertically inclined (tilted or tented). When set up correctly, commercially available split keyboards reduced mean ulnar deviation of the right and left wrists from 12 degrees to within 5 degrees of a neutral position compared with a conventional keyboard. The finding that split keyboards place the wrist closer to a neutral posture in the radial/ulnar plane substantially reduces one occupational risk factor of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs): ulnar deviation of the wrist. Applications of this research include commercially available computer keyboard designs that typists can use and ergonomists can recommend to their clients in order to minimize wrist ulnar deviation from typing.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Quantitative biomechanical analysis of wrist motion in bone-trimming jobs in the meat packing industry.

This study was motivated by the serious impact that cumulative trauma disorders (CTDs) of the upper extremities have on the meat packing industry. To date, no quantitative data have been gathered on the kinematics of hand and wrist motion required in bone-trimming jobs in the red-meat packing industry and how these motions are related to the risk of CTDs. The wrist motion of bone-trimming workers from a medium-sized plant was measured, and the kinematic data were compared to manufacturing industry's preliminary wrist motion benchmarks from industrial workers who performed hand-intensive, repetitive work in jobs that were of low and high risk of hand/wrist CTDs. Results of this comparison show that numerous wrist motion variables in both the left and right hands of bone-trimming workers are in the high-risk category. This quantitative analysis provides biomechanical support for the high incidence of CTDs in the meat packing industry. The research reported in this paper established a preliminary database of wrist and hand kinematics required in bone-trimming jobs in the red-meat packing industry. This kinematic database could augment the industry's efforts to reduce the severity and cost of CTDs. Ergonomics practitioners in the industry could use the kinematic methods employed in this research to assess the CTD risk of jobs that require repetitious, hand-intensive work.

Biomechanical Phenomena↗
PubMed1992

Surgically-induced astigmatism in combined ECCE with filtering procedures compared to ECCE alone.

Extracapsular cataract extraction with implantation of a posterior chamber lens combined with filtering surgery (glaucoma triple procedure) is frequently employed in the co-management of cataract and glaucoma. Nineteen triple procedures with a minimum of six months follow up were compared to 19 cases of extracapsular cataract extraction with lens implant matched for age, sex, and surgeon with regard to surgically induced astigmatism as determined by vector analysis. Follow up averaged 10 months for the triple group and 14 months for the controls. There was no statistically significant difference in preoperative astigmatism between the two groups nor in the mean number of sutures cut. Postoperatively, the keratometric cylinder averaged 2.55 +/- 1.54 diopters for the cases and 1.20 +/- 1.11 D for the controls; the difference of 1.36 D was statistically significant (P = .004). The postoperative refractive cylinder was 2.34 +/- 1.54 D for the cases and 1.29 +/- 1.07 D for the controls; the difference of 1.05 D was statistically significant (P = .017). With regard to surgically-induced astigmatism, vector analysis showed that the cases averaged 2.18 +/- 1.25 D and the controls 1.23 +/- 0.81 D; the difference of 0.95 D was statistically significant (P = .006). With regard to surgically-induced astigmatism, vector analysis showed that the cases averaged 2.18 +/- 1.25 D and the controls 1.23 +/- 0.81 D; the difference of 0.95 D was statistically significant (P = .006). When analyzed for change along the vertical meridian, the cases averaged 1.12 +/- 1.57 D surgically-induced against-the-rule astigmatism, as compared with 0.30 +/- 1.16 D for the controls (difference, 0.83 D; P = .062). The glaucoma triple procedures induced approximately 1.00 D more cylinder than the controls.

Aged↗