Table 3.
Characteristics of touchscreen device use-duration, tasks and postural factors.
| Smartphones (n = 287) | Tablet Computers (n = 72) | |
|---|---|---|
| How Long Since Used | ||
| 0–6 months | 50 (17.4%) * | 21 (29.2%) * |
| 6–12 months | 65 (22.6%) | 24 (33.3%) |
| 1–2 years | 104 (36.2%) | 22 (30.6%) |
| 2–3 years | 39 (13.6%) | 5 (6.9%) |
| >3 years | 29 (10.1%) | 0 (0.0%) |
| Hours Used per Day | ||
| 0–1 h | 52 (18.1%) | 20 (27.8%) |
| 1–2 h | 102 (35.5%) | 30 (41.7%) |
| 2–4 h | 96 (33.4%) | 20 (27.8%) |
| >4 h | 36 (12.5%) | 2 (2.8%) |
| Where Used | ||
| At work | 108 (37.6%) | 14 (19.4%) |
| At home | 163 (56.8%) | 54 (75.0%) |
| Public transport/car | 217 (75.6%) | 20 (27.8%) |
| Others (e.g. restaurant) | 120 (41.8%) | 17 (23.6%) |
| Tasks Performed | ||
| Type/text | 156 (54.4%) | 18 (25.0%) |
| Check email | 134(46.7%) | 30 (41.7%) |
| Surf www | 202 (70.4%) | 54 (75.0%) |
| Graphic work | 3 (1.0%) | 1 (1.4%) |
| Play game | 153 (53.3%) | 40 (55.6%) |
| Photo | 136 (47.4%) | 4 (5.8%) |
| Movie/TV | 89 (31.0%) | 39 (54.2%) |
| Read book | 125 (43.6%) | 31 (43.1%) |
| Listen to music | 130 (45.3%) | 15 (20.8%) |
| Others | 18 (6.3%) | 2 (2.8%) |
| Viewing Angle | ||
| At eye level | 49 (17.1%) | 21 (29.2%) |
| Below eye level | 234 (81.5%) | 49 (68.1%) |
| Above eye level | 1 (0.0%) | 2 (2.8%) |
| Forearm Position | ||
| Rest on table | 48 (16.7%) | 20 (27.8%) |
| Rest on laps | 36 (12.5%) | 24 (33.3%) |
| Arms in mid-air | 196 (68.3%) | 22 (30.6%) |
| others | 5 (1.7%) | 6 (8.3%) |
| Input Style | ||
| Right thumb | 56 (19.5%) | 6 (8.3%) |
| Right index finger | 168 (58.5%) | 49 (68.1%) |
| Left thumb | 8 (2.7%) | 0 (0.0%) |
| Left index finger | 3 (1.0%) | 3 (4.2%) |
| Both thumbs and index fingers | 26 (9.1%) | 6 (8.3%) |
| All fingers evenly | 16 (5.6%) | 8 (11.1%) |
* Percentage values are computed using the n value for the type of devices as denominator.