Effects of control-display gain and postural control method on distal pointing performance

The present study investigated the effects of different joint-based interactive methods and control-display gains on performance and usability for distant pointing by using ISO 9241–9 test procedures. Ten healthy participants performed multi-directional tapping tests with three joint-based interactive methods (wrist-, elbow-, and shoulder-based interactive methods) and three CD gains (0.6, 1.0, and 1.7) by using an air mouse as the input device. The experimental results indicated that the wrist-based interactive method is a better interactive method for tasks where pointing speed is the highest priority and the 1.7 CD gain, which was found to cause significantly higher MT and ER and lower TP and subjective usability rating scores than wrist- and elbow-based pointing, should be avoided in distal pointing tasks. Furthermore, the best suggested CD gains for the wrist-based interactive method are 1.0 and 1.7. The recommended CD gain setting of the elbow-based interactive method is 0.6, and 1.0 CD gain is feasible for the shoulder-based interactive method. •The wrist-based interactive method is a better method for distal pointing task.•Participants mostly preferred the elbow-based interactive method.•The shoulder-based interactive method and 1.7 CD gain should be avoided.•The suggested CD gain range for the wrist-based interactive method is more than 1.0•The recommended CD gain setting of the elbow-based interactive method is 0.6