Content area

Abstract

Objective: To examine changes in biomechanical and motor control associated with a force-feedback computer mouse. Background: Haptic computer mice can improve the movement times for point-and-click tasks; however, changes in upper extremity biomechanics and motor control are unknown. Method: Eighteen people (ages 22-37 years) performed a point-and-click task 80 times using a force-feedback computer mouse across three different conditions: (a) no force feedback, emulating a conventional mouse; (b) a single attractive force field at the desired target that pulls the mouse to the center of the target; and (c) an attractive force field at the desired target as well as others between the two possible targets, distracting the user from the intended target. Cursor kinematics, wrist posture, and electromyographic (EMG) forearm muscle activity were recorded. Results: The point-and-click movements were 30% faster with the addition of a single force field and 3% faster with the addition of multiple force fields. The Fitts' law index of performance metrics improved from 2.9 bits/response to 4.1 bits/response for multiple attractive fields and to 6.0 bits/response for a single force field. For the distracting force fields, the cursor maximum velocities were over 50% faster. EMG amplitude values were largest for the distracting force fields. These data suggest that the operator uses increased muscle activity to accelerate the mouse through the distracting force fields. Conclusion: When implementing attractive haptic force fields, one needs to consider how to reduce these observed effects of potential distracting force fields. Application: Applications include human-computer interface design for pointing devices extensively used for the graphical user interface. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]

Details

Company / organization
Title
Forearm Electromyographic Changes With the Use of a Haptic Force-Feedback Computer Mouse
Publication title
Human Factors; Santa Monica
Volume
48
Issue
1
Pages
130-41
Number of pages
12
Publication year
2006
Publication date
Spring 2006
Publisher
Human Factors and Ergonomics Society
Place of publication
Santa Monica
Country of publication
United States
Publication subject
ISSN
00187208
e-ISSN
15478181
CODEN
HUFAA6
Source type
Scholarly Journal
Language of publication
English
Document type
Feature, Journal Article
Document feature
Diagrams; Tables; Graphs; References
Accession number
16696263
ProQuest document ID
216459961
Document URL
https://www.proquest.com/scholarly-journals/forearm-electromyographic-changes-with-use-haptic/docview/216459961/se-2?accountid=208611
Copyright
Copyright Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Spring 2006
Last updated
2024-10-04
Database
ProQuest One Academic