Carpal tunnel syndrome severity, hand discomfort, and usability among three types of computer mouse.

This study assessed the effects of three common computer mouse types—vertical, traditional, and flat—on carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) severity, hand discomfort, system usability, and wrist posture among office workers in Iran. While CTS severity was generally moderate and highest among flat mouse users, differences between mouse types were not statistically significant. Hand discomfort varied significantly in certain hand areas, with flat mice causing more discomfort and lower usability scores compared to vertical and traditional mice; vertical mice were associated with more neutral wrist postures. The findings suggest vertical and traditional mice may offer ergonomic advantages over flat mice, but further research with larger samples, longer durations, and objective measures is needed to confirm these results.