Joystick armrest poses medical risk, says study
By HME News Staff
Updated Thu January 7, 2016
ELKINS PARK, Pa. - A new research study has found that central driving has several benefits over traditional armrest mounted joysticks. “(Armrest mounted joystick controllers) force a change in body posture and weight distribution with deleterious effects over time,” said Alberto Esquenazi, director of the Gait & Motion Analysis Laboratory at MossRehab, which conducted the study using Active Controls Central Drive System. “When operating a PWC with an armrest mounted drive control, the user often leans on the armrest where the joystick is mounted in order to improve drive control.” The result: muscular skeletal conditions and pressure ulcers, according to the study. On the other hand, subjects who used central driving controls sat more erect and reported more comfort.
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