The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is to fund a two-year project by the universities of Surrey and Loughborough into whether non-keyboard devices are bad for your health.

The study will look particularly at whether constantly mouse clicking, touch-screen pads and other devices such as joysticks can cause repetitive strain injury (RSI).

Professor Peter Buckle of the Robens Centre for Health Ergonomics at the University of Surrey says very little research has been done into the devices, despite the fact that many packages increasingly rely on mouse clicking to move around the screen.

More widespread

He said there was anecdotal evidence that people in professions, such as graphic design, were developed pains in their shoulders, arms and necks because of excessive use of the devices.

RSI can cause long-lasting disability

He believes the problems could become more widespread as the devices become more common in daily use.

"We suspect that it is hugely probable that that there are generic health problems related to these devices, particularly prolonged use by people sitting in awkward postures," he said.

"The problems may not be obvious, but muscular-skeletal problems are difficult to rehabilitate."

The research will be conducted in stages, including a survey of information technology managers, a survey of 5,000 working adults who use the devices regularly and laboratory tests on workers.

The results will be used for HSE guidance to employers.

Computer keyboard use

RSI was originally associated with prolonged use of computer keyboards.

But increasingly manufacturers are introducing new forms for using computers which rely on more interaction with software.

Professor Buckle believes that, as with keyboard RSI, posture may be an important factor.

He said most people have their arm elevated at an angle when they are using their mouse, for example.

Keeping the arm in a similar position for long periods can cause muscle strain and is a risk factor for RSI.

Touching the screen may cause muscle pain through having to continuously reach over to a screen which is set at shoulder or eye height.

The researchers are not looking at electronic magnetic problems associated with close contact with the screen.

Professor Buckle, who is involved in devising European guidance on RSI, believes that the way a person's work is ordered may be a factor in whether they will get RSI.

"There appear to be fewer problems when a person has a greater degree of control over their work," he said.