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DISCLAIMER:
Whilst all care is taken to provide accurate information with respect to the item described, the Independent Living Centre (ILC) is not involved in product design or manufacture, and therefore not in a position to guarantee the accuracy of the information provided. Selection of equipment, which is both suitable and appropriate for individual needs remains the responsibility of the person(s) considering requisition, and no responsibility is taken by the ILC for any loss or injury caused through use of the equipment or alleged to have arisen through reliance upon information provided. As information is subject to change any enquiries should be directed to the manufacturer.
Item Details
Buyers Guide - Wrist Rests / Forearm Supports
ILC Reference NO 64:08:001
Item sourced from ILC NSW database
Short Description
Some typing and mouse use styles can encourage injury as a result of an over extension of wrists and/or pressure resulting from a continual resting on hard table surfaces. Wrist rests are typically a strip of cushioning that is placed in front of a keyboard or mouse area to encourage a straight (neutral) wrist position and a padded surface to minimise such injuries. For successful, injury free use of wrist rests, strategies of positioning and function must be considered. This information is designed as an overview to familiarise you with the features of wrist rests. In particular, those features to be aware of and which need to be considered when choosing and purchasing a suitable wrist rest.
Forearm supports allow the arms to move while supporting their weight when typing or working at a table.
Price Guide
Approx Price: $0.00
Price Date: 14/03/2008
More Details
WRIST RESTS:-
. Are usually padded or made from rubber or foam for comfort.
. May be height adjustable.
. May be attached to a mouse pad.
Wrist rests come in varying shapes, padding materials, types of covers and functions which will determine how comfortable they are to use and their effectiveness.
Some features are available as follows;
- The standard shape of a wrist rest is rectangular. The rest should be wide enough to allow comfortable positioning over its surface area. Avoid narrow rests (less than 5 cm). Some rest shapes may be better suited to a wide variety of keyboards or designed for a specific model. Some keyboards are supplied with a moulded plastic wrist rest that can be removed. Some are extra long to incorporate the single rest into the mouse area as well as keyboard. Wrist rests designed for mouse use specifically can come in a variety of shapes and are available either separate to the mouse pad or integrated into it.
- Padded material may include high density foams (firm), combination foams (usually high density base with cushioning foam surface), plastic core with foam padding or gel-filled construction (designed to conform to users wrist position and applied pressure). Consider the weight of the wrist rest if frequent repositioning will be required.
- Coverings may include neoprene, lycra, non-woven synthetic fabric, vinyl or plastic. the base of wrist rests can vary from non-slip material to plastic construction with small rubber feet. Covering materials should be acceptable to the user, cleanable and allow skin to breathe upon contact.
- Wrist rests are available as a static functional option or with adjustable positioning features. Adjustability is usually provided by flip up or down 'feet' on the base of the rest that can alter angle of position in vertical plane (i.e. angled away from or towards user).
FOREARM SUPPORTS:-
. Suitable for people with upper limb pain and weakness.
. Usually pivot at three points, enabling the hand to move within a
horizontal plane with little effort.
. Should be height adjustable to cater for the individual and the type of work eg with keyboard work the optimum height of the armrest will depend on the height of the keys above the desk.
. The part in contact with the forearm should be padded for comfort and slightly curved to prevent the forearm slipping off.
. Different types are available in terms of where they can be mounted: either clamped to the front edge of the table / desk top, to a wheelchair or to the armrest of a chair.
Factors To Consider
POINTS TO CONSIDER :
- Current typing philosophy recommends typists to type with hands 'floating' over the keyboard and use the wrist rest only as a place to rest between periods of typing.
- Wrist rest 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 wrist rest should be at the same level as the keyboard's front edge or spacebar.
- Avoid pressing / leaning on the wrist rest while typing.
- Wrist rests used as alternative positioning devices by people with unique keyboard or mouse access needs should be done so at the recommendation of an Occupational Therapist.
Supplier Information - click to supplier for contacts details
Additional /images
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