Skip to main content

Discomfort Threshold Evaluation for Hand and Elbow Regions: A Basis for Hand-Held Device Design

  • Conference paper
  • First Online:
Advances in Ergonomics in Design (AHFE 2021)

Part of the book series: Lecture Notes in Networks and Systems ((LNNS,volume 261))

Included in the following conference series:

  • 2711 Accesses

Abstract

This study aimed to analyse the discomfort threshold (that could be linked to sensitivity or sensation) of different regions in hand and elbow to support hand-held devices' design. Indeed, there are no studies regarding the hand and elbow discomfort threshold or sensitivity. To overcome these literature gaps, the discomfort threshold of hand and elbow were recorded at 24 spots by pushing a cylinder with a diameter of 10 mm until the participants reported not to be longer comfortable. Experiments were performed with 24 participants, 13 females and 11 males. The results showed the map of discomfort threshold (or sensitivity) for the hand and elbow. The olecranon, situated at the ulna's upper (proximal) end, one of the two bones in the forearm, could withstand more pressure than the elbow area surrounding it. The fingertips and the area close to the metacarpals were most sensitive (lower discomfort threshold).

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 129.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Aptel, M., Claudon, L., Marsot, J.: Integration of ergonomics into hand tool design: principle and presentation of an example. Int. J. Occup. Saf. Ergon. 8, 107–115 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1080/10803548.2002.11076518

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Kuijt-Evers, L.F.M., Bosch, T., Huysmans, M.A., de Looze, M.P., Vink, P.: Association between objective and subjective measurements of comfort and discomfort in hand tools. Appl. Ergon. 38, 643–654 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apergo.2006.05.004

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Salazar, C.A.F., Henze, N., Wolf, K.: Ergonomics of thumb-based pointing while holding tablets. In: Proceedings of the 18th International Conference on Human-Computer Interaction with Mobile Devices and Services Adjunct, New York, NY, USA, pp. 730–737. Association for Computing Machinery (2016). https://doi.org/10.1145/2957265.2961864

  4. Pereira, A., Miller, T., Huang, Y.-M., Odell, D., Rempel, D.: Holding a tablet computer with one hand. Proc. Hum. Factors Ergon. Soc. Annu. Meet. 57, 1634–1638 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1177/1541931213571363

  5. Trudeau, M.B., Asakawa, D.S., Jindrich, D.L., Dennerlein, J.T.: Two-handed grip on a mobile phone affords greater thumb motor performance, decreased variability, and a more extended thumb posture than a one-handed grip. Appl. Ergon. 52, 24–28 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apergo.2015.06.025

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Yesodha, K.K.R.K., Narasimhan, V., Li, Y., Craig, B.: Ergonomic evaluation of videogame controllers. In: Ahram, T., Falcão, C. (eds.) AHFE 2017. AISC, vol. 607, pp. 384–391. Springer, Cham (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-60492-3_37

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  7. Gutierrez, A.M.J., Cadiz, L., Filoteo, N., Juan, I., Leopando, B.: Enhancement of gaming experience and performance through an ergonomically designed console chair. In: International Conference on Industrial Engineering and Operations Management, pp. 31–41 (2019)

    Google Scholar 

  8. Fransson-Hall, C., Kilbom, Å.: Sensitivity of the hand to surface pressure. Appl. Ergon. 24, 181–189 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1016/0003-6870(93)90006-U

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Hokari, K., Pramudita, J.A., Ito, M., Noda, S., Tanabe, Y.: The relationships of gripping comfort to contact pressure and hand posture during gripping. Int. J. Ind. Ergon. 70, 84–91 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ergon.2019.01.010

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Van Veen, S., Hiemstra-van Mastrigt, S., Kamp, I., Vink, P.: Improving car passengers’ comfort and experience by supporting the use of handheld devices. Work. 49, 215–223 (2014). Discomfort, neck flexion, user experience, armrests, car seat

    Google Scholar 

  11. Naddeo, A., Califano, R., Vink, P.: The effect of posture, pressure and load distribution on (dis)comfort perceived by students seated on school chairs. Int. J. Interact. Des. Manuf. (IJIDeM) 12(4), 1179–1188 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12008-018-0479-3

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Le Johansson, L., Kjellberg, A., Kilbom, A., Hagg, G.M.: Perception of surface pressure applied to the hand. Ergonomics 42, 1274–1282 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1080/001401399184947

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Zhang, L., Helander, M.G., Drury, C.G.: Identifying factors of comfort and discomfort in sitting. Hum. Factors. 38, 377–389 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1518/001872096778701962

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Ashkenazy, S., Ganz, F.D.: The differentiation between pain and discomfort: a concept analysis of discomfort. Pain Manag. Nurs. (2019). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pmn.2019.05.003

  15. Vink, P., Lips, D.: Sensitivity of the human back and buttocks: The missing link in comfort seat design. Appl. Ergon. 58, 287–292 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apergo.2016.07.004

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Buso, A., Shitoot, N.: Sensitivity of the foot in the flat and toe off positions. Appl. Ergon. 76, 57–63 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apergo.2018.12.001

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Groenesteijn, L.: Seat design in the context of knowledge work (2015). https://doi.org/10.4233/uuid:19060a11-6d6c-46dd-9f47-8583d1610b94

  18. Tustumi, F., Nakamoto, H.A., Tuma, P., Milcheski, D.A., Ferreira, M.C.: Prospective study on tactile sensitivity in the hands of a Brazilian population using the pressure-specified sensory device. Rev. Bras. Ortop. 47, 344–347 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1590/S0102-36162012000300011

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Vink, P.: Vehicle Seat comfort and design (2016)

    Google Scholar 

  20. Farage, M.A.: Does sensitive skin differ between men and women? Cutan. Ocul. Toxicol. 29, 153–163 (2010). https://doi.org/10.3109/15569521003774990

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Iolanda Fiorillo .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2021 The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this paper

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this paper

Di Brigida, L., Fiorillo, I., Naddeo, A., Vink, P. (2021). Discomfort Threshold Evaluation for Hand and Elbow Regions: A Basis for Hand-Held Device Design. In: Rebelo, F. (eds) Advances in Ergonomics in Design. AHFE 2021. Lecture Notes in Networks and Systems, vol 261. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-79760-7_77

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-79760-7_77

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-79759-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-79760-7

  • eBook Packages: EngineeringEngineering (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics