Wristrests For RSI

When we type at computers we should work like trained, disciplined typists and keep our wrists straight and floating over the keys. However, many of us were never trained and have developed lazy wrists that like to sag down to the table surface while typing. The problem with doing this is that the wrists are bent upwards in hyper-extension, which increases the risk of a repetitive strain injury. A second issue with resting the wrists on the table surface is that its hard surface and sharp edge presses against the bottom of the wrist and can compress the soft tissues of the hand and adversely affect the nerves and blood vessels. Some typists place the keyboard right to the table's edge to avoid having anything to rest the wrists on, and force them into a proper typing posture.

A wristrest is typically a strip of cushioning (padded plastic, foam, gel, etc.) that fits in front of a keyboard or mousing area. The primary function of a wristrest is to keep the wrist straight during keyboard use and provide padding that the table surface cannot. Wristrests are one of the most popular "ergonomic" computer assessories provided by companies when employees complain of wrist pain at the keyboard. They are inexpensive, improve wrist posture and reduce soft tissue compression due to contact stress (thus improving posture and reducing injury risk). Wristrests even come in cool colors that can be easily customized with company logos, etc. Some keyboards even come now with built-in molded plastic palm/wristrests (note that padded retro-fits are often available due to the hard built-in surfaces).

Wristrests come in varying shapes, padding materials, and types of covers which will determine how comfortable they are to use and their effectiveness. They should be well padded with no sharp edges and provide a soft support that conforms to the wrist and palm heel. The height of the wristrest should be at about the same level as the computer keyboard's front edge or spacebar (this is typically 3/4 to 1 inch for modern, low-profile keyboards). Keyboard wristrests are usually around 20 inches in length and some go as wide at 28-30 inches to cover the mousing area as well.

A word of caution is needed when it comes to typing with a wristrest. Current typing philosophy/recommendations instruct typists to type with the hands floating over the keyboard and use the wristrest only as a soft place to rest between periods of typing. Placing the hands palm up in your lap during longer breaks in typing is also a good idea as it provides an opposite hand posture to that used while typing. What needs to be avoided is pressing/leaning on the wristrest while typing and depend only upon wrist and finger movement to reach the keys. The whole arm, starting at the shoulder, should be used to reach for keys far from the home row, not pinning the wrist into the wristrest and depending on your wrist and fingers to do gymnastic feats reaching all the keyboard's keys. More on keyboarding techniques can be found in many publications on computer use and keyboarding.

Other devices perform a similar function while moving with the hand, versus the stationary position of traditional wristrests. For the keyboard, an example is the Comfortype that has a swiveling palm support that moves with the hand while typing. There are also several different products for the wrist and arm that move with the body during mouse use. These products provide continuous support during the keying/mousing activity. As these devices do not hinder body motions, their continual use might be considered okay, especially in relieving shoulder discomfort, however you should not lean, or put excessive force on them.

A wristrest's purpose is to partially support the weight of the arm, reduce fatigue in shoulder, reduce torque in elbow, maintain neutral wrist posture, and prevent wrist abrasion on sharp desk edge.

Wristrests should be used during micro-pauses and mini-breaks, not during data entry or typing (Thompson, 1991).