Currently, a study is being conducted at the University of Washington in the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences assessing muscle fatigue associated with computer use by using electrical stimulation. We would like to invite you to participate in the study. The study is expected to last about 1-2 hours on the orientation day and 8 hours for the following four days. If you do decide to participate, you will be compensated $15/hr for your time.
During this study, we will attach surface electrodes to your forearm. On the orientation day, we will introduce you to the electrical stimulation methods and the overall protocols. On the control day, you will be asked to rest for the whole eight hours. On each day of the four experimental days, you will be asked to perform four 75-min specific tasks using a keyboard and mouse with three breaks: a 15-min morning and afternoon break, and 30-min lunch break, respectively. Between the tasks, electrical simulation and questionnaires will be use to assess your muscle fatigue. The electrical stimulation may cause discomfort, similar to “pins and needles,” tingling, or a sharp feeling like bumping the funny bone on your elbow. During the testing sessions you may watch movies or read, but you must not engage in any physical activity using your testing hand (i.e. using the computer, playing video games, talking on a cell phone, etc.).
Taking part in this study is voluntary. If you are 21 - 38 years old, right-handed and free of upper extremity injury, you are eligible for participation. If you are interested in participating in the study, please contact us by phone or e-mail and include the following information:
Dominant hand: Right ___ Left ___ Ambidextrous___
Age:
History of upper-extremity disorders? Yes ___ No ____
Contact information is provided below.
*Please note that we cannot guarantee the confidentiality of information sent by e-mail.
Jeong Ho (Jay) Kim
University of Washington
Industrial and Systems Engineering
4225 Roosevelt Way NE, Suite 100; Seattle, WA 98105
E-mail: jhkim01@uw.edu
Phone: (206)-543-4544
