M.- C. Jung’s research while affiliated with University of Nebraska–Lincoln and other places

This pilot study examined whether the use of a 7/8 keyboard contributed to the physical ease of small-handed pianists as compared with the conventional piano keyboard. A secondary research question focused on the progression of physical case in pianists making the transition from one keyboard to the other. For the purposes of this study, a hand span of 8 inches or less was used to define a "sinall-handed" pianist. The goal was to measure muscle loading and hand span during performance of a specified musical excerpt. For data collection, each of the two participants was connected to an 8-channel electromyography system via surface electrodes, which were attached to the upper back/shoulder, parts of the hand and arm, and masseter muscle of the jaw. Subjects also were fitted with electrogomometers to capture how the span from the first metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint to the fifth MCP joint moves according to performance demands, as well as wrist flexion and extension and radial and Ulnar deviation. We found that small- handed pianists preferred the smaller keyboard and were able to transition between it and the conventional keyboard. The maximal angle of hand span while playing a difficult piece was about 5 degrees smaller radially and 10 degrees smaller ulnarly for the 7/8 keyboard, leading to perceived case and better performance as rated by the pianists.

Surgeon-centered design principles were employed to design an articulating laparoscopic tool. Evaluation of this tool by 38 expert laparoscopic surgeons demonstrated that they believed the new tool could significantly reduce back, shoulder, arm, wrist and hand pain and stiffness. They preferred the new design to conventional designs for comfort and general impression. The added articulation at the grasper tip was deemed a useful addition by 92%; in addition, 89% of the surgeons would purchase the tool once it was on the market. This study demonstrates that good surgeon-centered design can improve a standard laparoscopic tool. It further demonstrates that given a choice between current tools and ergonomically designed tools, laparoscopic surgeons will select the more comfortable, useful tool.

As part of a continuous effort of reaching the optimal use of the intuitool, a study was conducted to identify the optimal diameter combination between the trackball and the end effector ball. The task was to simulate the end effector movement during an operation, using different diameter combinations. Twenty students performed the trackball-controlling tasks to move the end effector from an initial position to designated circular-shaped targets. The trackball diameters were 19 mm and 40 mm, and those of the end effector balls were 3 mm, 5 mm, and 10 mm. There were four targets: right, left, up, and down. Travel time, accuracy, and trail deviation were measured as independent variables. Accuracy was not a significant factor showing that all participants followed instructions to reach each target as accurately as possible. The time to reach the target depended both on target location and trackball to end effector ratio individually and in their interaction. It was quickest to get to the upper target compared to all other locations. Trial deviation depended only on the target position and the target location and ratio interaction. The performance of going in a straight line was best for the left and right directions as opposed to up and down using the trackball.

Surgeon-centered design principles were employed to design an articulating laparoscopic tool. Evaluation of this tool by 38 expert laparoscopic surgeons demonstrated that they believed the new tool could significantly reduce back, shoulder, arm, wrist and hand pain and stiffness. They preferred the new design to conventional designs for comfort and general impression. The added articulation at the grasper tip was deemed a useful addition by 92%; in addition, 89% of the surgeons would purchase the tool once it was on the market. This study demonstrates that good surgeon-centered design can improve a standard laparoscopic tool. It further demonstrates that given a choice between current tools and ergonomically designed tools, laparoscopic surgeons will select the more comfortable, useful tool.

Wrist braces have been used in the industry with the notion that they would restrict the range of motion of the wrist to an extent that it would decrease the risk of CTS during forceful repetitive tasks and enhance productivity. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of the functional wrist brace, wrist angle, and fatigue on maximal grasp strength. Fourteen male and sixteen female college students participated in the study utilizing a soft brace, a hard brace, and no brace in three different static wrist positions (45° flexion, neutral, and 45° extension) prior to and after fatigue to determine the effect on maximal grasp strength measured by a computerized wrist dynamometer. The results of the ANOVA indicated that grasp strength was significantly greater when the wrist was in the flexion position followed by neutral, then wrist extension. However, brace type and fatigue states did not produce statistically significantly different grasp strengths overall. Therefore, the position a grasping ...