Research Project

Many people have heard of the problem called RSI, but most are unaware of the magnitude of the problem. However, statistics coming from government institutions, independent medical journals and published university studies, show it is a global problem, costing society millions of pounds and affecting millions of people today.

It is very difficult to determine the accurate cost to the global economy resulting from RSI. However, even the most conservative estimates derived from statistics and publications from different government and health organizations show RSI is the largest and fastest growing health problem faced by workers today.

Mouse and Keyboard use in relation to RSI

Once described in the Western Journal of Medicine as a “manifestation of an occupational epidemic” the mouse has become essential to the everyday use of computers. Although being increasingly used the device itself hasn’t fundamentally changed in design since it’s invention in 1968 by Douglas Engelbart. Today there are dozens of variations of the mouse such as, inverted mice also known as trackballs, hand held pointers, and countless ergonomically designed devices claiming to reduce or stop RSI. Some of these devices may in fact actually work as they claim but CTS and what is now being called MAS Mouse Arm Syndrome are still a workplace plague spreading to where-ever computers and mice are found.

MAS - Mouse Arm Syndrome is a form of RSI - Repetitive Strain Injury has been studied extensively in a number of countries. Today it is well known that prolonged use of a computer mouse can cause pain, stiffness and often even permanent damage to the muscles and tendons of the human body. Those who sit for long duration behind the computer without breaks may, over a period of time, develop RSI (Repetitive Strain Injury). This can lead to Mouse Arm, which relates directly to the prolonged use of the mouse.