On the usefulness of off-the-shelf computer peripherals for people with Parkinson’s Disease

People who suffer from Parkinson’s Disease face many challenges using computers, and mice are particularly problematic input devices. This article describes usability tests of standard peripherals for use by people with Parkinson’s Disease in order to identify optimal combinations with respect to the needs of this user group. The results are used to determine their effect upon inertia, muscle stiffness, tremor, pain, strain and coordination and show that widely available equipment could significantly improve mouse pointer control for many users. The results reflect the diversity of challenges experienced by computer users with Parkinson’s Disease, and also illustrate how projector-based technology may improve computer interaction without risking strain injuries.