Advice for users on mice

Function and design
Choose a mouse with the performance and functions appropriate for the tasks in hand. 

Test the shape of the mouse
Does it feel comfortable in your hand? There are various sizes available as well as right-hand only and left-hand only mice. One option for reducing work concentrated on one side of the body is to ring the changes with two mice, one for the right hand and one for the left. 

Which is the appropriate size for you? 
There are four sizes to choose from on the market. 

Wired or wireless mouse? 
A wireless mouse leaves you free to position it where you like – to the right, left or in front of the keyboard. But keep the mouse close to and at the same height as the keyboard on the desk. Give it a trial run. 

Can you rest your hand and fingers on the mouse without it affecting your writing work?
A good working posture is to have a straight wrist and half-open position for the hand, with the small finger side a bit lower than the thumb side. Rest your forearm and hand on the desk with the mouse positioned near the keyboard. You should be able to press on the mouse’s buttons with almost the whole surface of the fingers resting on the mouse. Avoid gripping with the tips of your fingers. This increases muscle tension. Avoid keeping your hand and fingers prepared for the next click for long periods of time. Mice are available that intermittently vibrate gently against the hand to remind you to change your working position. 

Program the mouse buttons to suit your needs, e.g., the speed of the mouse pointer
If you do a lot of mouse work, remember to incorporate some rest and variation for the muscles of your hand and arm. Take a lot of short breaks. This prevents unnecessary muscle fatigue and, ultimately, the pain and numbness associated with RSI, or Repetitive Strain Injury. Make sure you keep your elbows close to your body, both with the keyboard and the mouse.
 
Perhaps the most important issue is whether you really need to use the mouse as much as you do, for such long periods of time and with such intensity? A great deal of the mouse work you currently do can be performed directly on the keyboard without this being a circuitous way by comparison, especially if you click a great deal. Remember that you risk strain problems if you make intensive and sustained use of double-clicking with the mouse. Change the way you work by switching from your right to your left hand and by trying different types of control unit. Make sure you also learn the most frequently used keyboard shortcuts. The advantage with this is that you will then achieve a more balanced working position for both arms. You will also find that you can usually work more quickly and easily by making direct use of the keyboard.

Alternative to the mouse
An alternative to the mouse is what’s known as a "centred controller". This can be a roller bar or mouse pad with different function buttons. Placed in front of the keyboard, this type of control unit allows you to balance the use of your hands and fingers more equally. You can spread the work performed by your muscles more symmetrically and will find it easier to maintain a centred working position in front of the keyboard with your elbows close to your body. Try out the various solutions offered by centred control units. Program the functions to ensure your work flows easily and that they suit the way in which you work. For example, choose one of the buttons for the "double-click function". That way you can reduce double-clicking to just one press of the button.

Find out more:
Use your keyboard correctly
Choose the right mouse
Avoid stress injuries