Developing an Instrument to Measure Personal Keyboarding Style

This study will develop and refine an observational assessment tool called the Personal Computer Keyboard Style (PeCKS). When completed this assessment tool will provide researchers and clinicians with a valid and reliable method to describe computer keyboarding postures and kinematics.

The proposed study will be divided into two phases. Phase I will be devoted to developing and refining an instrument, the Pre-PeCKS, into a valid and reliable data gathering observational tool. In Phase II the Pre-PeCKS will be used to develop a predictive model that can discriminate between those with and without MSD-UE. The model developed will be used to select the construction and weighting of the subscales of the final instrument, the PeCKS.

Phase I – PeCKS psychometrics – reliability and validity Specific Aim 1: To evaluate inter- and intra-rater reliability and the concurrent criterion-related validity of the Pre-PeCKS.

H.1.1 The Pre-PeCKS will demonstrate acceptable reliability for the following tests:

H.1.1a. Intra-rater reliability (stability within one rater) H.1.1b. Inter-rater reliability (stability across raters) H.1.1c. Test of internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha) (stability across items)

H.1.2 The Pre-PeCKS will demonstrate good concurrent criterion-related validity - Parameters selected by raters using the Pre-PeCKS will significantly correlate with biomechanical measures (VICON™ motion recording and analysis system and force plate):

H.1.2.a. Angles and displacements identified by raters using the Pre-PeCKS will correlate with angles and displacements measured by the VICON™ motion recording and analysis system; H.1.2.b. Number of times spent performing actions as specified by raters using the Pre-PeCKS will correlate with number of times measured by a VICON™ motion recording and analysis system; H.1.2.c. Level of forceful keying as specified by raters using the Pre-PeCKS will correlate with levels of forceful keying measured with a force plate under the keyboard.

Phase II – PeCKS psychometrics – diagnostic tool development

Specific Aim 2: To use information gathered using the Pre-PeCKS to develop a diagnostic instrument that can identify those with and without MSD-UE. The major hypothesis related to Specific Aim 2 is:

H.2.1. Using information gathered with the Pre-PeCKS and knowing the disease outcome of the subjects, predictive models can be developed that discriminate between those who do and do not have MSD-UE.