RollerMouse Research Reports Remarkable Results
Rollerbars are not very widely known, but essentially, they consist of a round bar situated between the computer keyboard and the user, who manipulates the cursor through a combination of rolling the bar on its axis and sliding it laterally back and forth in its housing. The operation is actually a lot more intuitive than it sounds, and the theory is that roller bars reduce physical stress, especially on the elbows and shoulders, by eliminating the reaching necessary when using any mouse -- whether conventional or ergonomic.
Contour Design's RollerMouse rollerbar station, which was developed in Sweden, is designed to be used with standard computer keyboards that have a rectangular form factor and a straight edge on the user side. Recognized by Call Center Magazine as a 2002 product of the year, the RollerMouse controls the cursor without the need to grip or reach for a mouse, and requires minimal space. Button controls are centrally located beneath the space bar. The RollerMouse is also ideal for workspaces with no room for a mouse. It frees up space, providing more room for user with close working conditions.
Don Greer, Verizon Corporate Ergonomist, delivered a groundbreaking presentation at the recent National Ergonomics Conference and Exposition in Las Vegas, NV. In this session, he reported that the RollerMouse provides substantive health, comfort, and economic benefits to users of the device when compared with a control group of users of traditional mousing products. Contour Design, Inc. is proud to announce the availability of a concise video presentation, accessible on-line, in which a summary of the study's conclusions are described in a candid interview with Greer, the study's principal investigator.
The research, as recapped in the video interview, reveals the findings of three sequential studies. Each study replicated, testing successively larger populations, consistent findings °V affirming the reliability and validity of the scientific approach used.
In summary the studies demonstrated:
- Reduced discomfort and pain from using the RollerMouse compared with use of other mousing devices; - Substantially reduced risk factors °V those tendencies of mousing users to reach and point-and-click that can result in pain, discomfort, and/or verifiable repetitive stress injuries (RSI), such as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome; - Definite reductions in muscle activities in those muscle groups, which are most commonly linked to reports of RSI; - Personal productivity was NOT reduced among users who switched from their traditional pointing device to the RollerMouse; - Marked cost-effectiveness advantages comparing the cost of the RollerMouse with significant expense reduction and lost productivity due to RSI; and - Improved reported morale, in part, because of the care and attention to employees' safety and performance by corporate management through provision of the alternative devices.
In a pre-interview meeting Don Greer stated, "We had no preconceived notions about the findings, but we did have some intuitive beliefs that any mousing device that could reduce muscle activity, especially in those muscle groups which are high risk factors for RSI, might lead to direct user benefits. From an economic perspective, the average reported RSI was costing us about $6300 and typically resulted in 9 days of disability outage per case. The studies conclude that the RollerMouse provides superior safety, comfort, reduction in risk factors, and does so in an economically cost-effective manner."
James Golden, VP of Marketing and Sales at Contour adds, °"Don's research project adds credibility to the scores of reports we continuously receive from Customers about the inherent capabilities of the RollerMouse and its in-service history of getting people off the disability rolls and back to doing meaningful, safe, and comfortable work."
To learn more about the research findings please log onto: http://www.contourrollermouse.com/cdi_ergo/interview/ to view this extraordinary and informative video. The length of the presentation is less than nine (9) minutes. From the video you'll have the opportunity to view the Swedish Success Video, other RollerMouse videos, and/or to participate in a free trial offer of a RollerMouse for your own use.
For my full review of the Contour RollerMouse, visit:
http://www.applelinks.com/pm/more.php?id=240_0_1_0_M42
For more information, visit:
http://www.contourrollermouse.com/
