Is there any data supporting a correlation between carpal tunnels and using keyboard-heavy editors like Emacs or Vim?

Question

I have some predisposing factors to developing carpal tunnel and would like to avoid it as much as possible. I do however want to use Vim or Emacs and I would like to learn from the experiences of others.

Has there been any research showing either a correlation or lack of correlation between using a keyboard-heavy editor like Vim or Emacs and developing carpal tunnel syndrome?

Answer 1

Emacs uses a lot of combination key strokes, especially ctrl. Many emacs users bind ctrl to the caps-lock key to make it easy to access with the left pinky. Still if you are worried about carpal tunnel I think less one combo keys would be better, especailly if you tend to do them one handed.

I haven't used vim intensively but from what I remember from mys sysadmin days, it's mostly single keys, although esc is frequent and is a stretch. You could move the esc key and end up with a fairly neutral typing position for most tasks in vim.